CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charges have been filed against Duke Energy for illegal dumping at North Carolina power plants. Federal prosecutors filed the two criminal charges on Friday.
Duke Energy says they have reached a proposed agreement with the U.S. Government that would close this federal investigation.
The alleged violations include unlawfully failing to maintain equipment at the Dan River and Cape Fear facilities and unlawfully discharging coal ash and wastewater.
Duke says a storm water pipe under a coal ash basin at the retired Dan River Steam Station broke, releasing ash into the Dan River in Rockingham County.
The company says they took immediate action to stop the leak, care for the river and reform operations to help prevent similar events from happening again.
The agreement identifies nine misdemeanor violations of the Clean Water Act and would require Duke Energy to pay a total of $68.2 million in fines and restitution and $34 million for community service and mitigation. These payments will be paid by shareholders, not customers, according to Duke Energy.
