House OKs final coal ash, water bill that governor opposes

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — A final agreement on how to reconstitute North Carolina’s Coal Ash Management Commission and get permanent drinking water to people living near ash pits has cleared one chamber of the General Assembly.

The House voted Tuesday for legislation hammered out with Senate leaders to revive a commission Gov. Pat McCrory shut down a couple months ago following a court ruling in his favor. But lawmakers believe the panel is still needed to provide a second set of eyes on how the state will direct Duke Energy to clean up and close more than 30 pits.

The Senate could vote on the legislation later Tuesday. McCrory has threatened a veto if the bill gets to his desk. McCrory says his administration is already doing a good job managing the closures.

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