Emails show co-ordination between Duke Energy and NC regulators on coal ash lawsuits

RALEIGH, N.C. - Internal emails between staff at North Carolina's environmental agency suggest state regulators were co-ordinating with Duke Energy before intervening in efforts by citizens groups trying to sue the company over pollution leeching from its coal ash dumps.

The emails were provided Thursday to The Associated Press by the Southern Environmental Law Center, which had filed notice in January 2013 of its intent to sue Duke under the Clean Water Act.

The emails show a Duke lobbyist contacted the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources to set up a meeting within days of that notice. The emails suggest the company and regulators were in frequent contact.

The agency used its authority to intervene in the lawsuit, quickly negotiating a proposed settlement where the $50 billion company would pay a $99,100 fine but be under no requirement to stop its pollution.