Coal ash action plan clears North Carolina Senate

RALEIGH, N.C. — (AP) — Senate legislation requiring Duke Energy to close its North Carolina coal ash pits within 15 years is now heading to the state House.

The full Senate gave its unanimous final approval Wednesday after more amendments were approved to the bill one day after lengthy debate and preliminary Senate approval.

Top Senate Republicans have shepherded the measure, which requires Duke to place ash from dumps at four plants into lined landfills or sell it for the construction industry within five years. A new commission would decide how to dispose of ash at 10 remaining plants by 2029.

Senate Democrats voted for the bill but said it didn't go far enough following the coal ash spill on the Dan River.

Gov. Pat McCrory would be asked to sign any measure into law.

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