NC State Regulators and Duke Energy Worki Together to Reduce Pollution Penalties

March 20, 2014

Last month, a pipe beneath a coal ash retention pond owned by Duke Energy burst, causing an estimated 39,000 tons of coal ash combined with 27 million gallons of contaminated water into the Dan River. The pollution puts citizens in Virginia and North Carolina at risk of potential Toxic Exposure from dangerous chemicals and substances. Now, information is coming to light that state regulators may have been in cahoots with Duke to minimize penalties for allowing such pollution to occur before the spill took place.

An article from Bill Moyers & Company explains emails released last week were exchanged between a North Carolina Department of Natural Resources regulator on behalf of Duke and a U.S. Department of Justice lawyer. They show the two were working together to exchange information in an attempt to minimize the amount in fines the company would have to pay for allowing chemicals to spill into local drinking water supplies.

An investigation into the relationship between Duke officials and the Department of Natural Resources has now been launched by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers with HensonFuerst point out the situation highlights how large companies have significant pull over the legal system. That is why it is so important to have an experienced attorney by your side if another person or entity’s negligence caused an environmental hazard that harmed you. Call us at 1-866-777-1170 if you have been the victim of an environmental disaster and need to discuss your legal rights.