On February 2, 2014, a stormwater pipe under a coal-ash storage basin collapsed at the Duke Energy’s Dan River Station in Eden, North Carolina. The Eden station was a coal-fired power plant that operated between 1949 and 2012. The break spilled an estimated 39,000 tons of coal ash from the ash-storage basin into the Dan River. According to Duke Energy and news accounts, the coal ash contained large amounts of calcium, silica, and other elements that do not pose a human health risk, but that it also contained smaller amounts of heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury, and selenium.
Through the first week after the spill, Danville officials reported that tests showed that water provided by the city’s water-supply plan was meeting all public-health standards and so far had not needed any special treatment processes. Also during that week, the City of Virginia Beach as of February 5 had taken the precaution of stopping temporarily pumping Dan River water into supply reservoirs.
Ecological impacts were (and remain, as of one year later) another, longer-term concern. On February 18, 2014, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials stated that material from the spill has been found on the bottom of the Dan River in depths from one inch to five inches as far downstream as 70 miles. One official stated that while the deposits and impacts vary with river characteristics, areas of concern include impacts on mussels, immature insects, other stream-bottom invertebrates (animals without backbones), and the fish that feed on stream-bottom invertebrates.
On March 6, 2014, North Carolina Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway ruled that state law required Duke Energy to take immediate action to stop groundwater pollution resulting from coal-ash storage ponds at the company’s 14 coal-fired power plants (some operating, some closed). Judge Ridgeway ruled in favor of environmental groups who in 2012 appealed a decision by the N.C. Environmental Management Commission (EMC) that did not require immediate clean-up action, but rather allowed the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources to give Duke “a reasonable time” to take corrective actions.
On March 10, 2014, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a news release on the agency’s ongoing evaluation of effects on the Dan River; the DEQ reported that treated drinking water have “consistently met or exceeded all applicable federal and state standards,” and that “there are no public health concerns with drinking water” in Virginia. The DEQ stated that their focus was on “the health of the Dan River over the long term” (water quality, aquatic life, and aquatic habitat). In the March 10 release, DEQ Director David Paylor said the several years of monitoring would likely be needed.
On March 13, 2014, the Associated Press reported that Duke estimated that it would need two years to clean up the coal-ash storage facility that led to the February 2 spill, along with two other storage facilities located beside rivers near Asheville and Charlotte. At the time, the company had some three dozen storage facilities statewide.
After the initial emergency phase, the impacts of the spill continued to be closely watched and reported, particularly in Danville, Va., and Greensboro, N.C. A year later, the environmental impacts seem to have limited to certain areas, and signs of recovery had been observed by scientists, but longer-term impacts are still possible and continue to be monitored. The spill, however, also had financial, political, legal/regulatory consequences, particularly in North Carolina, and as of February 2015, a grand jury was still investigating possible civil or criminal charges.
In April 2015, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Duke Energy agreed to a proposed consent order that would have Duke pay $2.5 million. The Virginia State Water Control Board has final authority over consent orders proposed by the DEQ, and the Board was scheduled to consider this proposed settlement at the board’s regular quarterly meeting on June 25, 2015. For more details on the proposed settlement: Proposed consent order imposes $2.5 million settlement on Duke Energy Carolinas for Dan River coal ash spill, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality News Release, 4/3/15.
Following are some agency sources of information and then a compilation of news media headlines (annotated in some cases) about the spill from and its consequences for coal-ash storage and management.
AGENCY INFORMATION SOURCES (as of 8/24/16)
City of Danville, Va.: http://www.danville-va.gov/Search/Results?searchPhrase=Coal%20Ash&page=1&perPage=10.
U.S. EPA, “Final Rule: Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals from Electric Utilities,” published in Federal Register on 4/17/15, online at http://www2.epa.gov/coalash/coal-ash-rule.
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), “Dan River Coal Ash Spill,” http://www.deq.virginia.gov/ConnectWithDEQ/EnvironmentalInformation/DanRiverCoalAshSpill.aspx. (Includes links to other sources of information, as well.)
Virginia Department of Health Coal Ash Fact Sheet, 3/19/14, online (PDF) at http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/CoalAsh.pdf.
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, “Dan River Coal Ash Spill,” http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/guest/dan-river-spill
NEWS MEDIA ACCOUNTS, February 2014 to July 2016
(Following are items on the Dan River event and on related developments for coal-ash management at Duke Energy facilities. For information on coal-ash removal developments in 2015-16 at Dominion Virginia Power plants, please see this News Grouper item.)
(Newest listed first; all links were working at time of posting, but some may not be at a later date)
Comprehensive accounts: Two Years After Dan River, Charlotte Magazine, 1/26/16. [This article includes a list and short description of the coal-ash pond closure work needed at 14 Duke Energy sites in North Carolina.] The Day the River Turned Gray—The Dan River Coal Ash Disaster, Greensboro News-Record, February 2015.
100 trains of coal ash removed from site, Danville Register & Bee, 8/31/16 [regarding Duke Energy’s application for permits from North Carolina for discharge into the Dan River of wastewater from coal ash storage facilities being closed.]
State continues testing fish for toxins in Dan River, WDBJ TV-Roanoke, 7/7/16.
Danville agrees to $2.4 million settlement [with Duke Energy] in 2014 coal ash spill, Danville Register & Bee, 4/19/16.
Concrete makers look to import coal ash ((Duke Energy stores 157 million tons but concrete industry says it can’t get enough), Charlotte Observer, 3/31/16.
Accusations fly over latest moves in coal-ash removal at Duke Energy plant, Charlotte Business Journal, 3/29/16 [regarding Feb. 12, 2016, permit issued by North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for removal of water from the two coal ash ponds at the closed Riverbend Steam Station near Mt. Holly, N.C.]
Duke Energy could spend $10 billion to clean coal ash pits in N.C., Associated Press, as published by Richmond Times-Dispatch, 2/7/16.
Public hearings on coal ash pit evaluations in March, Associated Press, as published by Bristol Herald Courier, 1/8/16 [regarding Duke Energy plans for cleaning up 32 coal-ash disposal sites in North Carolina].
Duke making progress at Dan River [and] awaiting permit, Greensboro [N.C.] News & Record, 12/3/15 [an update on the progress as of December 2015 by Duke Energy in cleaning up/removing coal-ash storage ponds at its Dan River Steam Station in Eden, N.C., where the 2014 Dan River spill originated].
Judge denies Dominion’s request to dismiss coal ash lawsuit, Associated Press, as published by Richmond Times-Dispatch, 11/10/15 [regarding lawsuit filed in March 2015 in U.S. District Court by the Southern Environmental Law Center on behalf of the Sierra Club, alleging that coal-ash ponds at a former power station in Chesapeake, Va., are contaminating groundwater along the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River].
Duke to begin moving coal ash in October, Danville Register & Bee, 9/22/15 [regarding company’s plans to move coal ash from the former Dan River Steam Station in North Carolina].
It will take Dominion up to 4 years to close coal ash ponds at Possum Point, Potomac Local, 7/14/15; Va. coal waste concerns environmental advocates, Washington Post, as published by Charleston Daily Mail, 7/5/15; and Critics: Dominion Virginia jumping gun on coal ash cleanup, Associated Press, as published by Richmond Times-Dispatch, 6/27/15 [all three regarding Dominion Virginia Power’s proposal to consolidate into one sealed pond all the coal ash at the inactive Possum Point Power Station in Prince William County, Va.].
Va. OKs $2.5M settlement with Duke over coal ash spill, Associated Press, as published by Richmond Times-Dispatch, 6/25/15; and Va. panel expected to vote on proposed coal ash spill pact, Associated Press, as published by Washington Post, 6/25/15. [Both regarding a $2.5 million settlement in a proposed consent order agreed to in April 2015 by the Va. Department of Environmental Quality and Duke Energy. Some citizens and groups opposed the settlement as too low, arguing instead for something on the order of $50 million. The Virginia State Water Control Board has final authority over consent orders proposed by the DEQ, and the Board approved this proposed settlement at the board’s regular quarterly meeting on June 25, 2015.]
Dan River Natural Resource Trustees Seek Public Input on Draft Damage Assessment Plan for Dan River Coal Ash Spill, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service News Release, 6/16/15; and Dan River ash damage plan out for comment, Charlotte Observer, 6/16/15. [Regarding the Draft Dan River Coal Ash Spill Natural Resource Damage Assessment Plan, released on June 16, 2015, for a 30-day public-comment period.]
Duke Energy admits to pattern of negligence with coal ash, Greensboro News & Record, 5/14/15.
Duke to provide water to NC residents with tainted wells, Associated Press, as published by Danville Register and Bee, 5/13/15 [regarding plans to provide bottled water to about 150 residences in North Carolina whose wells were contaminated by Duke Energy coal-ash storage pits].
Coal ash landfill called environmentally conscious, Danville Register and Bee, 4/29/15 [regarding Duke Energy plans to build facilities for dry storage of coal ash in Eden, N.C., and Wilmington, N.C.]
Coal ash pond at Possum Point Power Station outside Dumfries will be drained, Potomac Local, 4/27/15.
Dominion Virginia Power to close coal ash ponds in state, Richmond Times-Dispatch, 4/17/15.
Proposed consent order imposes $2.5 million settlement on Duke Energy Carolinas for Dan River coal ash spill, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality News Release, 4/3/15. Related media accounts: Duke Energy, Virginia agree to $2.5 million coal ash settlement, Richmond Times-Dispatch, 4/3/15; Duke, Virginia agree to $2.5 million coal ash settlement, Associated Press, as published by Roanoke Times, 4/3/15; Duke Energy to pay Virginia $2.5 million for Dan River spill, Charlotte (N.C.) Observer, 4/3/15.
Duke Energy fined $25 million over coal ash pollution, Associated Press, as published by Washington Post, 3/10/15 [North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources proposed fine for groundwater contamination from two coal-ash storage pits at a closed electric-power plant near Wilmington].
Duke pollution could continue under proposed permits, Associated Press, as published by Virginian-Pilot, 3/6/15 [regarding discharges that would be allowed under wastewater permits proposed by North Carolina regulators on 3/6/15].
Groups threaten suit over coal ash pits contaminating VA waters, Bay Journal, 2/26/15. [In late 2014, the Southern Environmental Law Center filed two notices of intent to sue Dominion Virginia Power plants for alleged leaks of toxic substances into groundwater and surface waters from coal-ash storage pits at the Possum Point Power Plant on Quantico Creek in Virginia about 30 miles south of Washington, D.C., and at Chesapeake Energy Center on the Elizabeth River in Chesapeake, Va.]
U.S. charges Duke with illegal pollution from 5 coal ash dumps, Associated Press, as published by Washington Post, 2/20/15. [Duke stated on Feb. 20 that it had already negotiated a plea agreement levying $102 million in fines and other costs for alleged illegal practices since at least 2010.]
Dan River recovering after coal ash spill as fines weighed, Associated Press, as published by Washington Post, 2/1/15.
Weathering the coal ash storm, Danville Register & Bee, 2/1/15.
Fund applications begin to revitalize river after neglect, ash spill, Danville Register & Bee, 2/1/15. [The RiverBank Fund was established in summer 2014 for donations for revitalization and protection of the Dan River.]
In addressing [Danville City Council on Jan.20, 2014], Duke Energy official says EPA rules coal ash “non-hazardous”, Danville Register & Bee, 1/20/15.
One report puts Dan River coal ash spill damage at $295 million, Greensboro [N.C.] News & Record, as published by Roanoke Times, 12/4/14. [This article reports on the estimate published by Wake Forest University biologist Dennis Lemly in the scientific journal Environmental Pollution (to be in the February 2015 print edition, pages 55-61). The article notes that staff from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality are developing their own estimate of damages.]
Concerns flow at forum on spill, Danville Register & Bee, 11/17/14 [at 11/17/14 panel forum in Danville held by the University of Virginia’s Institute for Environmental Negotiation and Virginia Cooperative Extension].
Impact of coal ash disaster discussed, Danville Register & Bee, 11/14/14 [at 11/14/14 panel discussion in Danville held by several local organizations].
After The Spill: Coal Ash & The Dan River/Economic & Environmental Concerns Linger [3:21 audio, with transcript available online], WVTF-FM (Virginia Tech public radio station), 11/17/14.
Duke makes plans to move coal ash/Material in Eden basin would be sent via train to lined landfill in Virginia, Danville Register & Bee, 11/13/14.
Coal ash impact discussions scheduled, Danville Register & Bee, 11/9/14.
Feds override NC on draining coal ash dumps, Associated Press, as published by Yahoo Finance, 10/3/14.
Duke’s coal ash warning late, downplayed for N.C., Greenville, N.C., News & Record, as published online by Danville Register & Bee, 8/25/14.
Could a coal-ash spill happen in Virginia? Regulators, utilities brace for new federal regulations in December [2014], Virginia Business, 7/30/14.
Weathering a crisis: Coal ash spill overshadowed major changes in [Danville, Va.] city’s River District, Virginia Business, 7/30/14.
What spill? Along the Dan River, people just go with the flow, [Greensboro, N.C.] News & Record, as published by godanriver.com, 7/28/14. [Describes recreation along the Dan Rive in Eden, North Carolina, on July 27, 2014, about a week after North Carolina officials removed a recreation advisory.]
Virginia Tech researchers search for ways to better trace effects of coal ash spills, Roanoke Times, 7/21/14 [$25,000 National Science Foundation Rapid Response Research grant for Virginia Tech scientists Madeline Schreiber, Marc Michel, and Ben Gill to map the movement of contaminants that were in the spilled ash].
NC, Va. groups to monitor coal ash in Dan River, Associated Press, as published in Roanoke Times, 7/21/14. [The groups are the Dan River Basin Association and the Roanoke River Basin Association (the Dan River is a Roanoke River tributary. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality plans to monitor fish and river sediments for two years.]
Law group says 94 percent of deposit still in river, Danville Register & Bee, 7/21/14 [Southern Environmental Law Center raised concerns about some 37,000 tons of coal ash not removed during Duke Energy’s removal project behind the Schoolfield Dam in Danville, which removed about 2500 tons].
EPA says Dan River back to pre-coal ash spill quality, godanriver.com, 7/15/14.
N.C. orders Duke Energy to act after finding more faulty pipes, [Greensboro, N.C.] News & Record, as published online by Danville Register & Bee, 6/27/14.
Duke to begin cleanup near Eden, [Greensboro, N.C.] News and Record, as published by godanriver.com, 6/19/14.
Records show Duke Energy was warned of spill pipe [in a 1986 engineering report], Associated Press, as published by Roanoke Times, 6/19/14.
Duke concerned by coal ash pit closure deadlines, [in legislation proposed in North Carolina to require closure by 2029], Associated Press, as published by GoDanRiver.com, 6/16/14.
Coal ash deal viewed as step in the right direction, Henderson [N.C.] Daily Dispatch, 6/12/14.
NC, Va. sign deal with Duke for Dan River cleanup, Associated Press, as published by Richmond Times-Dispatch, 6/10/14.
There’s more than one way to wipe up a spill [companies offering alternative methods of cleaning up Dan River coal-ash spill], [Greensboro, N.C.] News & Record, as published by Lynchburg News & Advance, 5/27/14.
Duke Energy signs deal with EPA to cleanup coal ash spill in Dan River, Energy Business Review, 5/26/14.
Virginia Beach to resume using [Lake Gaston] water after spill, Associated Press, as published by Danville Register & Bee, 5/20/14.
Concerns grow in Giles County as DEQ waits on EPA to make coal ash regulations, WDBJ-TV (Roanoke), 5/15/14.
Top leaders [in North Carolina Senate] introduce coal ash bill [regarding Duke Energy clean-up of storage and disposal sites and procedures], Associated Press, as published by Danville Register & Bee, 5/14/14.
North Carolina county objects to coal ash dumping [members of the Person County, N.C., Board of Commissioners are to consider a resolution opposing use of their county solid-waste landfill for disposal of coal ash removed from the Dan River in Danville], Danville Register & Bee, as published by Roanoke Times, 5/13/14.
Coal ash clean-up begins, Danville Register & Bee, 5/12/14 [clean-up of about 2500 cubic yards of ash from Dan River behind Schoolfield Dam in Danville; expected to be completed in late June 2014.]
Dan River Coal Ash Problems Not Over, Experts Say, TriplePundit, 5/7/14.
Experts say coal ash in Dan River a moving target, [Greensboro, N.C.] News & Record, 5/4/14.
Shareholders, protesters, speak out to Duke board [meeting in Charlotte, N.C., on 5/1/14], Associated Press, as published by Danville Register & Bee, 5/1/14.
City [Danville, Va.] hiring specialist to handle ash claims, Danville Register & Bee, 4/29/14.
Outside of coal ash spill area, merchants [in N.C.] say Dan River open for business, Greensboro, N.C., News & Record, as posted by Danville Register & Bee, 4/27/14.
Duke Energy: Moving coal ash in NC would cost up to $10 billion, Associated Press, as published by Richmond Times-Dispatch, 4/23/14. [The company also told a North Carolina legislative committee that the ash transfer would take decades.]
Farmers told Dan River acceptable for use, Danville Register & Bee, as published by Richmond Times-Dispatch, 4/22/14.
Coal ash spill effects not yet known; It’s too early to say if the Dan River will suffer biologically, experts on the environment said, Danville Register & Bee, as published by Roanoke Times, 4/21/14.
[North Carolina Gov.] McCrory’s coal ash plan is roiling debate in his own party, [Greensboro N.C.] News & Record, as published by Danville Register & Bee, 4/21/14.
[North Carolina Gov.] McCrory proposes new plan [for legislation] after spill, Associated Press, as published by Danville Register & Bee, 4/16/14.
Coal ash deposits headed to N.C. dry landfill, Danville Register & Bee, 4/14/14 [deposits removed from Dan River near Schoolfield Dam in Danville, Va.].
Dan River water safe for farm use, N.C. State study claims Associated Press, as published by Roanoke Times, 4/18/14.
Coal ash storage a New River worry, Roanoke Times, 4/12/14 [regarding two coal-ash storage sites and one site where coal ash was used to created level land for industrial or commercial development, all in Giles County, Va.].
State And Federal Agencies Talk To Citizens About Coal Ash, WSET-TV [Lynchburg-Danville-Roanoke], 4/14/14; and EPA to discuss river clean up , Danville Register & Bee, 4/9/14 [open-house meeting by federal and state agencies, held in Danville on April 14].
NC sides with Duke in appeal of ruling [North Carolina Environmental Management Commission joining Duke Energy in appealing March 6, 2014, ruling by North Carolina Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway on the state’s authority to require faster clean-up of Duke’s coal-ash storage facilities], Associated Press, as published by Danville Register & Bee, 4/8/14.
City wants study of water alternatives [City of Danville’s Request for Proposals to study coal ash and any other upstream contaminants of concern to the city’s drinking water treatment plant], Danville Register & Bee, 4/7/14.
NC judge denies Duke motion to seal coal ash docs [ruling on April 4 in North Carolina’s civil case filed in 2013 over alleged groundwater pollution for 33 coal-ash storage facilities in the state], Associated Press, as published by Danville Register & Bee, 4/4/14.
Duke Energy says it needs time to clean coal ash [comments by Duke President and CEO at Charlotte, N.C., business-group lunch on April 2], Associated Press, as published by Danville Register & Bee, 4/2/14.
EPA was concerned about North Carolina deal on Duke ash dumps [Sept. 2013 EPA comments about proposed settlement including $99,000 state fine over two Duke storage facilities; that settlement proposal was withdrawn in late March 2014 in the wake of the Feb. 2 spill], Associated Press, as published by Danville Register & Bee, 4/2/14.
Duke Energy wants citizens group out of ash action [motion filed March 31, 2014, in North Carolina enforcement-action case], Associated Press, as published by Danville Register & Bee, 4/1/14.
Concerns Linger for N.C. Residents After Coal Ash Spill, National Public Radio (NPR) “Morning Edition,” 4/2/14 (3 min./43 sec. audio report; includes comments on agricultural concerns in North Carolina and in Virginia).
River cleaning equipment arrives in Danville , Danville Register & Bee, 3/31/14; and Park to close for ash cleanup , Danville Register & Bee, 3/28/14 [Danville’s Abreu-Grogan Park to be closed from April 2 through June for removal of about 2300 cubic yards of ash that collected near a dam on the Dan River].
Environmental group against putting coal ash in landfills , Danville Register & Bee, 3/30/14 [Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, headquartered in Glendale Springs, N.C., released a report on March 24 that called for placing coal ash in concrete tanks rather than lined landfills].
Duke Energy seeks to keep records from regulators , Associated Press, as published by Danville Register & Bee, 3/28/14.
Duke shareholders want probe of coal ash spill , Associated Press, as published by Danville Register & Bee, 3/28/14.
Ponds in the game? [an overview of the use of ponds, or lagoons, for storage of coal-combustion ash], Chesterfield Observer, 3/26/14.
Ash spill costs top $12,722 locally–so far [costs incurred by Halifax County, Va., Service Authority, as of 3/20/14], South Boston Gazette-Virginian, 3/24/14.
Lawyer hired by NC in spill probe represented Duke, Associated Press, as published by GoDanRiver.com, 3/24/14.
Farmers along Dan River worry about livelihood, [Greensboro, N.C.] News & Record, as published by GoDanRiver.com, 3/24/14.
Danville feeling toxic economic effects of spill, Associated Press, as published by Richmond Times-Dispatch, 3/22/14. [This is a fairly detailed overview of the current and potential impacts of the spill on Danville, Va.]
Dan River coal-ash pollution angers and worries Virginians, Raleigh News & Observer, 3/22/14.
Environmental groups push Duke to clean up ash ponds at rally, Danville Register & Bee, 3/22/14.
Regulators say Duke pumped coal ash into NC river [61 million gallons of water from coal-ash-storage site into Cape Fear River], Associated Press, as published by Washington Post, 3/20/14.
Group wants to intervene in Dan River coal ash case [Southern Environmental Law Center], Associated Press, as published by Richmond Times-Dispatch, 3/20/14.
Risks to coal ash pipe apparently cast aside [information in consultant report to U.S. EPA in September 2009 recommending that stormwater pipes be checked apparently not passed on to N.C. officials], [Greensboro, N.C.] News & Record, as published by Roanoke Times, 3/20/14.
[Va. Gov.] McAuliffe expects Duke Energy to pay for coal ash spill, Associated Press, as published by Richmond Times-Dispatch, 3/19/14.
Gov. McAuliffe tours Danville water treatment plant, WSET-TV Lynchburg, 3/18/14.
Vacuums to pull coal ash from Schoolfield dam, Danville Register & Bee, 3/18/14.
Dominion: Yorktown coal ash landfill lacks Dan River potential, [Newport News] Daily Press, 3/18/14.
Tweak to N.C. law protected Duke Energy’s coal ash pits, Associated Press, as published by Roanoke Times, 3/18/14.
N.C. probes wastewater dumping at Duke plant [near Cape Fear River in Moncure, N.C.], Associated Press, as published by Washington Post, 3/18/14.
Duke pledges to remove ash landfill by Dan River, South Boston New & Record, 3/17/14; N.C. wants faster coal ash removal, Danville Register & Bee, 3/17/14; and Duke: Cleanup at Dan River plant will take 2 years, Associated Press, as published by Danville Register & Bee, 3/13/14 [regarding Duke Energy’s statewide coal-ash clean-up plan, as described in the company’s March 12, 2014, letter to North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory and Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary John Skvarla].
Virginia regulators take long view on N.C. coal ash spill [reporting on Va. DEQ news release on 3/10/14], Associated Press, as published by Roanoke Times, 3/10/14.
Virginia’s response to coal ash spill focuses on long-term health of Dan River, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality News Release, 3/10/14.
Judge rules Duke must halt groundwater pollution at coal ash sites, Raleigh News & Observer, 3/6/14.
N.C. officials want pipes at Duke plants probed [via video cameras inside pipes at 14 facilities], Associated Press, as published by Danville Register & Bee, 3/5/14.
Duke Energy plants cited over Dan River spill; the North Carolina company lacked permits to discharge rainwater into public waterways, Associated Press, as published in Roanoke Times, 3/4/14.
Frustration rises as long-term impact of spill goes unanswered, South Boston News & Record, 3/3/14.
Bottle water sales spike after spill, Danville Register & Bee, 3/1/14.
Coal ash spill costs [Halifax County, Va., Service Authority] authority $10,000 so far [for extra staff time and treatment chemicals], South Boston Gazette-Virginian, 2/28/14.
N.C. governor to Duke: Move ash ponds, Danville Register & Bee, 2/27/14.
Coal ash site called “ticking time bomb” [Danville City and other public officials tour of spill site in N.C. on Feb 25], Danville Register & Bee, 2/25/14.
NC could force Duke to move dump away from river, Associated Press, as published by Lynchburg News & Advance, 2/25/14.
Damage toll from spill estimated at $70 million; could rise by 10 times, [Greensboro, N.C.] News & Record, as published in Lynchburg News & Advance, 2/25/14.
EPA to South Boston: Our emergency response continues, South Boston Gazette-Virginian, 2/21/14.
What’s in the fish?—Virginia DEQ begins testing fish in Dan River, Danville Register & Bee, 2/20/14.
Investigation into N.C. coal ash spill widens [with subpoenas to additional 20 N.C. state employees], Associated Press, as published by Richmond Times-Dispatch, 2/19/14.
Duke Energy: Customers will not pay for river cleanup, Danville Register & Bee, 2/19/14.
Duke Energy says leak at second pipe halted, Danville Register & Bee, 2/19/14.
Toxins [arsenic] leaking from 2nd pipe at coal ash dump, Richmond Times-Dispatch, 2/19/14.
North Carolina coal ash spill raises questions about enforcement of environmental regulations, PBS NewsHour video report (6 min./57 sec).
Official: Coal ash will not affect wastewater treatment, Danville Register & Bee, 2/17/14.
Scenic River designation likely not in danger, Danville Register & Bee, 2/17/14.
EPA officials visit South Boston Thursday to meet with public, South Boston News & Record, 2/17/14.
Danville mayor: City not taking spill lightly, Danville Register & Bee, 2/16/14.
U.S. [Attorney’s Office in Raleigh] investigates N.C. coal ash spill, Richmond Times-Dispatch, 2/14/14.
What happens when the river floods?, Danville Register & Bee, 2/13/14.
Resident reports dead turtles, missing wildlife, Danville Register & Bee, 2/13/14.
[Halifax County Service Authority Executive] Director: Drinking water safe, South Boston Gazette-Virginian, 2/12/14.
State, EPA say public water OK after spill on Dan River; [plus, the Va. DEQ plans to review storage compliance at 12 Virginia coal-ash ponds], Richmond Times-Dispatch, 2/12/14.
Testing shows city water still within federal standards, Danville Register & Bee, 2/11/14.
Drinking water safe, but Va. Beach shuts off pipeline, South Boston News & Record, 2/12/14.
Duke [Energy] plans to dredge river as coal ash deal [is] dumped, Associated Press, as published in Washington Post, 2/11/14.
EPA checking water, sediment, Danville Register & Bee, 2/10/14.
Survivors of America’s largest coal ash spill talk about experiences, Danville Register & Bee, 2/10/14 (interviews with people affected by the December 2008 coal-ash spill in Roane County, Tenn.).
A disaster that Duke, regulators didn’t see, South Boston News & Record, 2/10/14 (a very detailed account of recent developments and background of the situation).
NC admits mistake, says arsenic topped safe level, Associated Press, as published in Richmond Times-Dispatch, 2/10/14.
NC regulators shielded Duke’s coal ash pollution, Associated Press, as published in Richmond Times-Dispatch, 2/9/14.
[Virginia] Beach official: Past study shows spill won’t foul water, Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, 2/814.
Virginia water supplies so far unaffected by Dan River coal ash spill, Richmond Times-Dispatch, 2/8/14.
Drinking water safe; potential threat posed to aquatic life, South Boston Gazette-Virginian, 2/7/14.
Water remains safe as work continues to stop leak at Eden site, Danville Register & Bee, 2/6/14.
Coal ash continues to settle in Dan River, Lynchburg News & Advance, 2/6/14.
Tests show different arsenic levels in NC spill, Associated Press, as published in Richmond Times-Dispatch, 2/6/14.
It’s like a lava flow moving slowly toward Danville, Danville Register & Bee, 2/5/14.
Coal ash: It’s still leaking, Danville Register & Bee, 2/5/14.
Coal waste deposits turn up 70 miles from spill, South Boston Gazette-Virginian, 2/20/14.
Coal ash lines river 70 miles from N.C. spill site, Associated Press, as published in Virginian-Pilot, 2/18/14.
Va. Beach halts water pumping after coal ash spill, Virginian-Pilot, 2/5/14.
And the river ran gray, Danville Register & Bee, 2/4/14.
City: Danville’s drinking water safe, Danville Register & Bee, 2/4/14.
Broken pipe spills coal ash in Dan River, Danville Register & Bee, 2/3/14.
Virginia Water Central News Grouper 
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