Under the Administrative Order and Agreement on Consent, entered into under the Superfund law, EPA will oversee the cleanup and Duke will reimburse EPA for its oversight costs. “EPA will work with Duke Energy to ensure that cleanup at the site, and affected areas, is comprehensive based on sound scientific and ecological principles, complies with all federal and state environmental standards, and moves as quickly as possible,” said EPA Regional Administrator Heather McTeer Toney. “Protection of public health and safety remains a primary concern, along with the long-term ecological health of the Dan River.”
Since the contamination extended into Virginia, and because removal and assessment work will occur in both North Carolina and Virginia, the order will be signed by both EPA Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Region Superfund division directors. In addition, the order also requires Duke to reimburse all past EPA response costs, as well as all future oversight costs in connection with the site.
Duke’s work will be subject to review and approval by EPA, in consultation with the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality, to ensure full compliance with the Superfund law. Once removal activities are complete, Duke will be required to assess any remaining contamination to determine whether additional actions may be needed.
