Power Engineering reports that the North Carolina environmental department issued the fine last week over ongoing groundwater contamination at the L.V. Sutton Electric Plant outside Wilmington. The site includes two unlined dumps estimated to hold 2.6 million tons of ash.
Wells near the dumps showed toxic chemical levels exceeding state standards.
Duke has 30 days to appeal the fine.
Last month Duke reached a proposed agreement with the US government that, if approved, would close a federal investigation of its subsidiaries, Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress and Duke Energy Business Services, related to last year’s Dan River coal ash spill as well as ash basin operations at other North Carolina coal plants.
