It ain’t over until it’s over. At least that’s what Lee County Manager John Crumpton thinks.
According to the News & Observer, Crumpton and other Lee County officials say Lee County is due what could total millions in fees to be paid by Duke Energy and Charah Inc. the Kentucky-based company that’s doing the coal ash dumping project in Lee County. According to Charah, its’ mines hold 20 million –millions with an ‘m’ tons of coal ash. Apparently, there is a paragraph of Duke Energy’s statement that says “Considerations like this illustrate the complex nature of addressing this important challenge and meeting the aggressive time line” of 2019 to 2029 to close 32 ash ponds. “We will continue to work through these issues as we advance the process.”
Crumpton’s argument is stating the obvious: the North Carolina General Assembly gave Duke Energy a handout. The arrangement is a cost avoidance issue for Duke Energy. Why shouldn’t Duke Energy and Charah pay some kind of host fees? Oh and by the way, Duke Energy, if they win this new installment in the Lee County Coal Ash Dump Debate Saga, will also charge ratepayers for the coal ash cleanup as well. So, why shouldn’t Lee County be compensated in some way? Apparently, Duke Energy wasn’t ready for this argument, because they have no answer for it.
Source: Lee County wants fees for allowing coal ash to be buried there. Retrieved December 7, 2014 from: http://www.newsobserver.com/...