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Our response to reintroduced Coal Ash Commission bill

May 25, 2016 (Raleigh): After a legal challenge resulted in Governor Pat McCrory dismantling the Coal Ash Commission earlier in 2016, state lawmakers are trying to re-constitute the independent overseeing body of the 2014 Coal Ash Management Act. Yesterday, a House Committee passed H S 71 (Comm’n Appointment Modifications). It will likely be heard on the House floor today.

If the intent of this legislation is to change how the Commission members are appointed, then only certain sections of this bill need to remain. Unfortunately, it contains other provisions that will allow Duke Energy to further stall coal ash cleanup, leaving NC communities and their drinking water sources in jeopardy. Not to mention that this bill would push the “final” classifications until after the November 2016 election. That doesn’t pass our smell test.

Dan Crawford, NCLCV director of governmental relations, responded to the introduction of S 71:

“This bill goes far beyond simply re-instituting an independent commission to execute the Coal Ash Management Act. It’s chock full of unnecessary concessions that once again provide a sweetheart deal for Duke Energy. Our fellow citizens have been forced to live on bottled water for months and months because state leaders continue to kick the can down the road. We need a common sense bill that puts people ahead of polluters, for once.”

 

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