Ash Spill Shows How Watchdog Was Defanged

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/01/us/coal-ash-spill-reveals-transformation-of-north-carolina-agency.html?_r=0

There has been more and more information leaking out everyday dealing with the Duke Energy coal ash ponds being illegally drained into the Dan River. Federal prosecutors have begun a criminal investigation into the spill and the relations between Duke and regulators at the environmental agency. The spill, which coated the river bottom 70 miles downstream and threatened drinking water and aquatic life, drew attention to a deal that the environmental department’s new leadership reached with Duke last year over pollution from coal ash ponds. It included a minimal fine but no order that Duke remove the ash — the waste from burning coal to generate electricity — from its leaky, unlined ponds. Environmental groups said the arrangement protected a powerful utility rather than the environment or the public. Our governor, Pat McCrory, use to work at a high position in the Duke company. Once he was elected governor he immediately passed laws loosening environmental policies, fired the whole staff that dealt with environmental issues, and attached a 60 paged rider to a bill that went unnoticed until the bill was passed. The rider basically claimed that Duke Energy wasnt responsible for any leakage from their ponds. This relates to our class because we talked about riders and bills. I think Duke and Our governor should take full responsibility for their actions and be punished for harming the environment.