Belmont City Council Passes Resolution Addressing Coal Ash Concerns

CHARLOTTE, NC – Neighbors concerned about water quality near coal ash pits are getting more support from local lawmakers.

Monday night, the city of Belmont passed a resolution urging Duke Energy to move quickly to provide clean water to people living near the Allen Steam Station.

“It gives us a little bit of piece of mind of knowing that this problem is being acknowledged,” explains neighbor Amy Brown.

The resolution urges Duke Energy to, “…expedite with all available resources…” to create a permanent water solution for people living near the Allen Steam Station.

For nearly two years, neighbors there have lived off bottled water after concerns toxic chemicals from coal ash was affecting their wells.

Monday night’s resolution said neighbors have dealt with the issue, “…for far longer than is reasonable or tolerable…”

State law requires Duke to provide a water connection to the city of Belmont and pay 25 years worth of water bills for neighbors living within a half mile.

The company has until October 2018.

Belmont City Council member Richard Turner says while the resolution has no authority, it sends a strong message to Duke.. to speed things up.

“I think it’s overdue. I think we probably should have acted on this sooner,” Turner says.

Duke Energy argues substances found in the wells occur naturally in the environment.

But the city of Belmont’s resolution argues coal ash in contact with groundwater, “…poses a persistent threat…”

Neighbor Jim Mitchem says after months of feeling ignored, he’s encouraged people are taking notice.

“We’ll have more elected officials speaking for us, lobbying for us, hopefully,” Mitchem says.