North Carolina Slaps Duke Energy With $25 Million Fine For Pollution

North Carolina officials announced they’re fining the Charlotte-based gas and electric giant Duke Energy $25 million for pollution seeping into groundwater from two coal ash pits at a decommissioned power plant.

On Tuesday, the state environmental department issued the fine for ongoing contamination at the LV Sutton Electric Plant. There are two unlined pits at the site with at least 2.6 million tons of coal ash, a by-product of burning coal, that has been slowly seeping into the ground. 

The Department of Environmental and Natural Resources called it the state’s largest penalty for environmental damages.

Duke has 30 days to appeal the fine.