Charlotte Observer: Closer Scrutiny for Duke's Coal Ash

There is a very interesting story in today's Charlotte Observer for anyone who lives near, boats on, fishes in or drinks water from Mountain Island Lake concerning coal ash from Duke Energy's power plants.

According to the article by Bruce Henderson:

"Riverbend and Duke Energy's seven other Carolinas coal-fired plants disgorge 2.2 million tons of ash a year. Two-thirds is dumped in landfills and ponds at the plants, an old practice that has begun to worry regulators.

Coal ash is loaded with metals that can contaminate groundwater and lakes like Mountain Island, the chief water supply for more than 850,000 people. Millions of gallons of water a day flow from Duke's ash ponds into the Catawba."

One of the biggest issues raised by the story is whether any government agency is taking full responsibility for the coal ash situation and making sure that groundwater is being properly monitored.

You can read the full story at:

http://www.charlotte.com/112/story/497420.html