Duke Energy Corp. has agreed to settle charges that it violated the federal Clean Water Act by spilling coal ash into the Dan River in North Carolina last year, and will pay $102.2 million in penalties and restitution.
The deal with federal investigators includes a five-year probationary period with a court-appointed monitor to ensure compliance with provisions of the agreement. The terms are subject to review by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
The settlement amount would be paid by shareholders, not customers, the Charlotte, N.C., company said.