As NC debates, other states empty coal ash dumps

http://www.wral.com/as-nc-debates-other-states-empty-coal-ash-dumps/13438189/

As NC debates, other states empty coal ash dumps
By MICHAEL BIESECKER, Associated Press; MITCH WEISS, Associated Press
Posted 10:49 a.m. today

(excerpt)
N.C. Environmental Secretary John Skvarla suggested last week it would be unwise for his agency to force the removal of Duke's leaky coal ash pits without long and careful study.

"There are environmental scientists who say that is the worst thing that could happen to the environment," Skvarla said. "The answer is nobody knows at this point in time."

<snipping>

Dennis Lemly, a biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who has studied the long-term impacts of coal ash pollution, said that is because there are none.

"What's the worst that could happen?" Lemly said. "Spilling a dump truck full of ash is nothing like spilling a couple hundred million cubic yards of ash into a river.".... MORE