Judge refuses to stay order in coal ash case

Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway has refused to stay his order requiring Duke Energy to stop toxins leaking from coal ash ponds at its North Carolina power plants.

That order was issued March 6 in a case brought by the Southern Environmental Law Center on behalf of a group of four environmental groups. 

Duke had asked the Ridgeway to stay his order until the company could appeal the case.

In a ruling issued Thursday, Ridgeway refused.