BREAKING: Duke Energy Pleads Guilty To Nine Environmental Crimes, Agrees To Pay $102 Million

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/05/14/3659065/duke-pleads-guilty-to-coal-ash-pollution/

BREAKING: Duke Energy Pleads Guilty To Nine Environmental Crimes, Agrees To Pay $102 Million

by Ari Phillips Posted on May 14, 2015 at 3:05 pm


Duke Energy plead guilty to nine federal misdemeanors related to illegally discharging pollution from coal ash ponds in North Carolina on Thursday afternoon, and agreed to pay $102 million in fines and restitution.

Federal prosecutors charged Duke with the nine violations of the Clean Water Act in February, asserting that the company had been illegally dumping coal ash from five of its North Carolina power plants since at least 2010.

Duke, the nation’s largest electricity company, had already worked out a plea bargain with the federal government at the time of the charges, and Thursday’s proceeding finalized the deal. It also stood as a reminder of the damage caused by the company’s environmental negligence.

As the Associated Press reported, Judge Malcolm Howard went through each of the misdemeanors individually, asking Julia Janson, the company’s chief legal officer, if the company had engaged in each action. After responding “yes” to each instance she then replied “softly” that Duke was indeed pleading guilty to each count.

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http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/05/14/3659065/duke-pleads-guilty-to-coal-ash-pollution/

[Kelvin Mace]

1. So, remind me

are fines tax deductible?

[Vinca]

3. I don't know, but I bet Duke Energy customers will see their bills increase.

You don't expect the fat cats to pay their own fines, do you?

[msongs]

2. the feds play the stay out of jail free card, reveal double standard of law enforcement:

steal a twinkie go to jail, dump toxic waste illegally...well just write a check

[Liberal_in_LA]

4. kick

[Jackpine Radical]

5. You can damwell betcha that they took these hits because they knew it would only be worse

if they tried to fight it in court. Misfuckindemeanors, indeed. Having a recreational bar fight is a misdemeanor. This shit, if it isn't a felony, ought to be.

There was a deal behind this.

[Gothmog]

6. Rachel Maddow had a good segment on this last night

[Jefferson23]

7. Recommend. n/t

[RiverLover]

8. R&K! Shame all they get is a fine they can easily afford, but otherwise, great news!!

Thanks for sharing!!

NC is a wonderful, wonderful state. It deserves better.