nc denr

March 21, 2014 - Legal and regulatory pressure is building against North Carolina-based Duke Energy over its chronic mismanagement of toxic waste from coal-fired power plants. Meanwhile, environmental watchdogs using a hidden camera busted a Kentucky utility illegally dumping coal ash wastewater into the Ohio River.

February 18, 2014 - Following Duke Energy's massive coal ash spill into the Dan River, Gov. Pat McCrory (R) has come under scrutiny for his close ties to the Charlotte, N.C.-based utility giant. Other key members of his administration have connections to the company, too.

February 13, 2014 - Following Duke Energy's massive coal ash spill into the Dan River, North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R) has come under scrutiny for his unusually close relationship with the utility giant. We take a by-the-numbers look at just how tight they are.

February 11, 2014 - Criticizing state regulators for creating an atmosphere of distrust, two clean water advocacy groups are offering money to anyone who can provide information on Duke Energy's massive spill of toxic coal waste into the Dan River that leads to civil or criminal charges.

January 15, 2014 - Since North Carolina regulators have failed to stop hog pollution from flowing into the state's rivers, environmental groups have announced plans to sue a massive hog farm that provides pork for Chinese-owned Smithfield Foods unless it cleans up its act within 90 days.

December 3, 2013 - Pollution from waste pits at Duke Energy's Sutton power plant is killing over 900,000 fish and deforming thousands more each year in an eastern North Carolina lake popular for fishing and recreation. The state has known about the problem for years, but it's failed to take initiative to force a cleanup.

July 17, 2013 - Democracy North Carolina criticizes the $99,000 fine that's part of the proposed settlement between the utility giant and state regulators over water contamination from its coal-fired power plants as "piddling" while raising concerns about the company's political influence and close ties to Gov. Pat McCrory.