State Says Minimal Coal Ash Disturbed at Wayne County Plant

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — State inspectors say that erosion caused by Hurricane Matthew caused only a small amount of coal ash to be released from an inactive storage basin in Wayne County.

The Department of Environmental quality issued a news release on Saturday saying the amount of coal ash was less than would fit in the bed of a pickup truck. State inspectors say the structure remains intact despite some erosion.

Duke Energy said the material remained very close to the basin.

The state was notified Friday of the erosion at the H.F. Lee plant near the Neuse River.

Duke Energy has said that floodwater rose over inactive basins covered in shrubs, trees and other plants.

The company also said that testing of the river nearby didn't show measurable amounts of coal ash constituents.