Duke Energy to Pay $7M to Settle Groundwater Violations

Duke Energy today issued the following statement regarding a settlement with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), formerly the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, regarding alleged groundwater violations at the company's retired L.V. Sutton Steam Electric Plant in Wilmington and the company's other North Carolina facilities. In March 2015, NCDEQ levied an unprecedented $25.1 million fine against Duke Energy for alleged groundwater violations at the Sutton Plant in Wilmington. In response, the company appealed the fine to the Office of Administrative Hearings, citing a number of instances where evidence demonstrates that the regulator acted contrary to state law, the agency's own rules, policies and procedures and the longstanding interpretation of the regulations. Under the terms of the agreement, which can be seen here on Duke Energy's website, NCDEQ recognizes that it did not follow its own policy and procedure and did not allow the company the opportunity to perform groundwater assessments and corrective actions before issuing notices of violations and fines. Duke Energy will pay $7 million to resolve all alleged groundwater violations at its 14 North Carolina facilities. In addition, the settlement reiterates the company's June 2015 See full press release