Federal charges filed against Duke Energy.

Source: charlotteobserver

Federal prosecutors Friday filed criminal charges against Duke Energy for illegal discharges from ash ponds across the state, including near Charlotte and Raleigh and in Rockingham County, where a massive spill a year ago triggered intense scrutiny of the company’s environmental management.

Duke said it has reached a settlement agreement with the federal government over nine misdemeanor violations of the Clean Water Act. The settlement would end an investigation of its ash handling that began with a Feb. 2, 2014 spill into the Dan River.

Duke would pay $68.2 million in fines and restitution and $34 million for community service and mitigation projects. The money will come from shareholders, not customers.

The settlement has to be reviewed and approved by a federal judge. U.S. Attorney Thomas Walker of the Eastern District, where the cases will be transferred, said he would have no comment until they come before a judge.



Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2015/02/20/5528118/federal-charges-filed-against.html#.VOfSvXzF-fg