Politics

Berger hails Apodaca's (potential) coal ash fix

By Bill Moss, Published: March 14, 2014

N.C. Senate Leader Phil Berger put state Sen. Tom Apodaca in the spotlight in the controversial Duke Energy coal ash cleanup, saying the Hendersonville legislator will draft a solution "that protects ratepayers and addresses the environmental problems presented by coal ash ponds."

Berger's comment in a news release in which he mocked a Democratic news conference on the subject. ("I am pleased to see legislative Democrats, who defeated legislation to clean up coal ash ponds in committee in 2009, finally speak up on this important issue after more than five weeks of silence," Berger said.)
The Senate leader from Eden, site of the coal ash spill that sent contaminants into the Dan River, said he had been among the first to demand an assessment and cleanup, and added that he did not believe Duke Power "should be allowed to pass any of the cost of the Dan River clean-up on to customers."
Then he tossed the hot potato to Apodaca, the Senate Rules Committee chair who committed soon after the spill to the drafting of legislation that would force Duke to clean up the coal ash.
"I am confident Sen. Apodaca will come forward with a solution that protects ratepayers and addresses the environmental problems presented by coal ash ponds," Berger said.
No pressure, right?
Berger's vote of confidence makes Apodaca a diplomat/mediator/magician who will somehow please ratepayers, whip the largest public utility in America into shape and satisfy the environmental lobby. No small task, that.