"Duke Energy Asks S.C. Customers To Pay Cleanup Costs For Coal Ash"

"Duke Energy is asking for the first $1.5 million installment on what to date is a $500 million coal-ash cleanup bill as part of Duke Energy Progress’ proposed 14.5 percent rate increase in South Carolina.

Duke Progress filed the $79 million rate case last month with the S.C. Public Service Commission. It marks the first time Duke has sought regulatory approval to charge customers for the costs of cleaning up the 34 coal ash ponds it has in the Carolinas, says spokesman Ryan Mosier.

The idea has been controversial in North Carolina. Environmental groups, consumer advocates and even some legislators have argued that Charlotte-based Duke (NYSE: DUK) and its investors should bear the cleanup costs themselves."

John Downey reports for the Charlotte Business Journal August 10, 2016.