Environmentalists Fight $7M Duke Energy Pollution Deal
Environmentalists are challenging in court a surprise deal in which North Carolina regulators settle decades of suspected groundwater pollution at Duke Energy's coal ash pits for $7 million.
A state Superior Court judge is scheduled to hear arguments today as opponents seek to overturn the deal between Gov. Pat McCrory's former employer and the state Department of Environmental Quality.
The deal cut the $25 million fine over groundwater pollution at a Wilmington plant. Regulators had promoted the fine as the largest penalty for environmental damage in state history. The agreement also claimed to settle groundwater pollution claims at not one, but all 14 power plants storing coal ash.
Duke Energy and environmental regulators pointed to a 2011 policy that favored correcting groundwater problems over fines as prompting the settlement.
North Carolina Supreme Court Won't Rehear Redistricting Case
The N.C. Supreme Court won't rehear a redistricting case in which a majority of justices upheld the state's congressional and General Assembly district lines drawn in 2011.
The court Thursday denied a petition by attorneys for plaintiffs who unsuccessfully sued in overturning about 30 districts. Those lawyers argued the court erred in its December decision by failing to use accurately a U.S. Supreme Court decision involving Alabama districts while examining North Carolina maps.
The court dismissed one argument on procedural grounds, although its order says it would remove a factual inaccuracy from the majority opinion.
The decision doesn't change a Greensboro federal court decision last week, which strikes down two congressional districts. The U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether to block that ruling, which requires new lines by Feb. 19.
Regulator Examines Blue Cross Glitches, Problems
North Carolina's top insurance regulator says he's launching an examination of Blue Cross and Blue Shield. This follows comments from the state's largest insurer that they are considering dropping coverage under the Affordable Care Act.
State Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin wants to see if Blue Cross has been complying with laws and regulations.
The state Insurance Department said Thursday it's taking a look at the insurer after the company cited technological problems. This came after thousands of people were tripped up while trying to enroll in or pay for individual policies.
Agency spokesperson Kerry Hall says Goodwin can open a targeted examination of a company when he thinks it's needed for the protection of policyholders or the public.
The problems were mostly experienced by customers seeking coverage through the Affordable Care Act.
Blue Cross says it will work with reviewers and most issues have been resolved.
Official: North Carolina Lacks Ability To Track Mosquitoes
North Carolina's chief epidemiologist says the state lacks the ability to track and combat the spread of mosquitoes as concerns about the Zika virus spread.
Megan Davies told WRAL-TV in Raleigh that mosquito surveillance and control is very limited. Davies told a legislative panel on Thursday that funding for local mosquito control is no longer available.
Two different programs aimed at controlling mosquitoes and other pests were pared back, and then finally eliminated, under Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue and Republican Gov. Pat McCrory.
The Zika virus has been blamed for brain-damaged babies in Brazil. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says no local mosquito-borne Zika virus cases have been reported in the U.S., but there have been travel-associated cases.
Powerball Jackpot Helped NC Lottery Revenue, Profits
Powerball's jackpot surge to $1.6 billion last month also brought more money to the North Carolina lottery and for education.
North Carolina Education Lottery Executive Director Alice Garland told lawmakers Thursday that lottery outlets sold $79 million more in Powerball tickets over a two-month period when the jackpot kept growing compared to what was normally anticipated.
Net lottery profits are earmarked for education initiatives that are determined by the General Assembly. Garland told the lottery oversight committee the Powerball run increased the lottery's share for education by $30 million. The lottery previously anticipated its contribution to education at more than $525 million.
Garland also says two recent multistate Powerball jackpot surges appeared to help increase ticket sales for North Carolina draw games.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.