North Carolina's Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDNR) fined Duke energy $25.1 million for spilling millions of gallons of toxic coal ash near its Sutton Plant facility just outside Wilmington, North Carolina. The fine is the largest the state has levied, after receiving much criticism that Gov. Pat McCrory's close ties to Duke Energy, insulated it from regulations and enforcement. Prior coal ash violations were largely ignored by NCDNR and given only minimal fines and no requirement to clean up. The EPA has also filed criminal charges against the company for multiple Clean Water Act violations, which could lead to fines up to three times the size of civil penalties, plus the threat of criminal conviction. More info here:

Wetlands in the News

29 March 2024