The rushed introduction, concurrence and signing of North Carolina House Bill 630 puts at risk many aspects of the progress that residents and environmental groups have made since the introduction of the Coal Ash Management Act in 2014.
Blog Archives
New law puts coal ash progress in NC at risk
TAGS: Coal Ash Duke Energy Electric Utilities Environment Health North Carolina Politics Water Pollution
A good idea is right under your nose
Last summer, when Appalachian Voices’ friend Caroline Armijo was pondering how to address the problem of coal ash pollution, she came across a few words of wisdom on the bottom of a coffee bag: “A good idea is right under your nose.” In this post that first appeared on her website, Caroline writes about a new technology that may offer a solution.
An open letter to the North Carolina General Assembly
In an open letter addressed to North Carolina lawmakers by the Alliance of Carolinians Together (ACT) Against Coal Ash, citizens threatened by coal ash pollution call on decision makers to take urgent action to ensure coal ash is cleaned up and impacted communities have access to clean water.
TAGS: Coal Ash Duke Energy Electric Utilities Environment Health North Carolina Politics Water Pollution
Coal ash controversy continues in North Carolina
In May, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality released risk rankings for Duke Energy’s coal ash impoundments across the state following 15 public hearings. But those rankings could still change and a newly revived legislative battle is a sign that the controversy over coal ash cleanup in North Carolina will continue.
TAGS: Appalachian Voices Coal Ash Duke Energy Electric Utilities Environment Health North Carolina Politics Water Pollution
Impacted Residents in NC and VA Protest Duke, Dominion Shareholder Meetings
Appalachian Voices joined local residents to protest Duke Energy and Dominion Resources’ annual shareholder meetings, calling on the companies to clean up their coal ash and invest in clear energy alternatives.
N.C. Coal Ash Cleanup Plans Proposed, Controversy Continues
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality released its rankings for Duke Energy’s coal ash impoundments on May 18. However, enforcement of regulations and clean-up is still largely up in the air.
TAGS: Coal Ash Commission coal ash contamination coal ash impoundments Duke Energy N.C. Department of Environmental Quality
DEQ dodges legitimate coal-ash safety concerns
Enabled by anti-regulatory powers in the legislature, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality has abandoned the principles necessary to serve the public. It’s time for lawmakers to acknowledge DEQ’s failures and focus on moving forward on coal ash cleanup.
TAGS: Appalachian Voices Coal Ash Duke Energy Electric Utilities Environment Health North Carolina Politics Water Pollution
How coal ash impacts civil rights
Residents of Walnut Cove, N.C., have fought for years to win justice for community members who have been harmed by coal ash pollution at the nearby Belews Creek power plant. In response to the interest in the threats posed by coal ash expressed by the North Carolina Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, the Walnut Cove community showed up in a big way.
DEQ’s “Do Not Drink” reversal elevates coal ash concerns
State officials in North Carolina owe citizens an apology and an explanation. The state Department of Environmental Quality and Department of Health and Human Services are walking back their own recommendations that families living near coal ash ponds not drink or cook using well water containing levels of toxic substances that exceed their own standards.
Cleanup Plans for Region’s Coal Ash Cause Concerns
In both North Carolina and Virginia coal ash impoundments are being drained into lakes and rivers, a stage in the clean-up efforts that is causing citizen and environmental groups concerns.
TAGS: A.C.T. Against Coal Ash ACT Against Coal Ash Coal Ash coal ash cleanup coal ash ponds dominion power Dominion Virginia Power Duke Energy high priority coal ash Water Pollution
