Local

SC bill preventing cleanup of polluted ponds moves to Senate

SOUTH CAROLINA — A bill that could prevent Duke Energy from having to clean out polluted coal ash ponds in two areas of South Carolina is moving to the state Senate.

The bill would block lawsuits by citizens groups under the South Carolina Pollution Control Act. Lawmakers behind the bill say it would apply to any company, but is particularly relevant to Duke.

On Friday the State Department of Environment and Natural Resources warned Duke that it could be fined for the Feb. 2 coal ash spill in the Dan River.

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory has also written to Duke, asking the company to turn over details of what it plans to do with coal ash ponds around the state following the recent spill.