The Latest: Lawyers puzzle Duke Energy coal ash compensation

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Latest on Duke Energy’s plans to compensate neighbours of North Carolina coal ash pits facing depressed property values as a result of feared groundwater pollution. (all times local):

4:30 p.m.

Attorneys who say they represent hundreds of neighbours of North Carolina coal ash pits want details from Duke Energy about its plans to compensate people for depressed property values as a result of feared groundwater pollution.

Three law firms based in Raleigh, Salisbury and Dallas, Texas, said Wednesday their clients are concerned about what the country’s largest electric company may offer. The attorneys say people living near the state’s 14 coal-burning power plants worry about their property values, health and the cost of getting safe drinking water to replace tainted water wells.

Hundreds of neighbours were warned against drinking their well water last year, a decision reversed this spring.

A Duke Energy spokeswoman says the company is deciding how much to offer neighbours, who could accept or reject compensation.

___

2:30 p.m.

Duke Energy is negotiating compensation for neighbours of coal ash pits facing depressed property values or a future with municipal water bills as a result of feared groundwater pollution.

The country’s largest electricity company said Wednesday it planned to finalize its financial offers in the coming weeks.

The announcement comes in the face of pending lawsuits by neighbours at some of the company’s 14 North Carolina coal-burning power plants. Coal ash remains after burning coal to generate electricity.

Neighbours fear unlined storage basins have allowed mercury, arsenic and other heavy metals to seep into drinking water supplies, which the company denies.

Hundreds of neighbours were warned against drinking their well water last year. State health officials this spring withdrew those warnings after deciding the earlier contaminant threshold was too low.