"North Carolina: Judge Denies Shield for Duke Records"

"RALEIGH, N.C. — A North Carolina judge on Friday denied Duke Energy's motion seeking to shield records related to groundwater pollution leaching from 33 coal ash dumps in the state while a separate federal criminal investigation is ongoing.

Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway's ruling came after Duke defense lawyer Jim Cooney scaled back the company's request to restrict access to documents in a civil case filed last year by state regulators over environmental violations.

Duke had initially argued potential public disclosure of company documents handed over through the discovery process could taint the criminal probe. A federal grand jury in Raleigh has issued at least 23 subpoenas to state environmental officials and Duke following a Feb. 2 coal ash spill that coated 70 miles of the Dan River in toxic gray sludge."

Michael Biesecker reports for the Associated Press April 4, 2014.

SEE ALSO:

"Coal Ash Issue Took Years To Reach Breaking Point" (Greensboro News & Record)

"Illinois Coal Ash Ponds To Come Under Increased Scrutiny After Spills Foul Other States" (AP)