Post by Logan on Jun 10, 2016 4:01:26 GMT -6
RALEIGH -- A standoff over coal ash between Gov. Pat McCrory and his fellow Republicans in the legislature may be headed for a resolution without lawmakers overrriding the governor’s veto.
Legislators said Thursday they are working with McCrory on a new coal ash bill that would make an override unnecessary and would speed up the state’s response to environmental and health concerns.
The dispute is over the best way to clean up coal ash basins and connect neighboring well owners with municipal drinking water. Conflicting notices from state officials about whether or not the well water is safe to drink have added to the tensions.
“We need a permanent solution that is not in the form of a 20-ounce bottle,” said Amy Brown, a neighbor of the Allen Steam Plant in Gaston County who has been advocating for piped city water. “This has gone on far too long. Every day that people in Raleigh are having private meetings is one more day we’re living with this uncertain future and contaminated water.”
Read more here: www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/under-the-dome/article82731952.html
It looks like the well owners are the pawns in this chess match between McCrory and Duke Energy. The governor should realize that he is in the losing position since Duke Energy does not want to bear the cost of excavating the coal ash ponds. One question that does come to mind is that while it looks like the governor is taking a pro-environment stance is there some other financial interest where he might benefit such as owning the site where excavated material would be place or in the transportation of that material?
Legislators said Thursday they are working with McCrory on a new coal ash bill that would make an override unnecessary and would speed up the state’s response to environmental and health concerns.
The dispute is over the best way to clean up coal ash basins and connect neighboring well owners with municipal drinking water. Conflicting notices from state officials about whether or not the well water is safe to drink have added to the tensions.
“We need a permanent solution that is not in the form of a 20-ounce bottle,” said Amy Brown, a neighbor of the Allen Steam Plant in Gaston County who has been advocating for piped city water. “This has gone on far too long. Every day that people in Raleigh are having private meetings is one more day we’re living with this uncertain future and contaminated water.”
Read more here: www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/under-the-dome/article82731952.html
It looks like the well owners are the pawns in this chess match between McCrory and Duke Energy. The governor should realize that he is in the losing position since Duke Energy does not want to bear the cost of excavating the coal ash ponds. One question that does come to mind is that while it looks like the governor is taking a pro-environment stance is there some other financial interest where he might benefit such as owning the site where excavated material would be place or in the transportation of that material?