Statement Partial Cleanup of Coal Ash Pits at Lee SC

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.— The following statement is by Frank Holleman, senior attorney, Southern Environmental Law Center regarding an announcement today by Duke Energy before the S.C. Public Service Commission on coal ash at its Lee facility in South Carolina:

“Duke Energy’s pledge to remove coal ash from two unlined pits at its Lee facility in South Carolina to lined storage is a good first step.  But it’s absolutely necessary that Duke Energy also move the remaining the coal ash from two active lagoons to ensure safety. The dams for those lagoons fail to satisfy minimum safety requirements for the industry.  Until Duke removes the coal ash from the remaining two lagoons, the site is unsafe for the Saluda River and the community. ”

The Southern Environmental Law Center represents Upstate Forever and Save Our Saluda with respect to the coal ash storage and pollution at the Lee facility in South Carolina.

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The Southern Environmental Law Center is a regional nonprofit using the power of the law to protect the health and environment of the Southeast (Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama). Founded in 1986, SELC's team of more than 60 legal and policy experts represent more than 100 partner groups on issues of climate change and energy, air and water quality, forests, the coast and wetlands, transportation, and land use.
www.SouthernEnvironment.org