Fact-check analysisVerified as of August 13, 2025Curated by FactVerify
Mostly True

Duke energy has ruined ground water in areas of North Carolina by taking detrimental short cuts by not lining waste pits allowing toxic forever chemicals to leach into ground water lakes poisoning people

Duke Energy has confirmed groundwater pollution from unlined coal ash pits in North Carolina, which has led to toxic contamination affecting water sources, though the specific claim about 'forever chemicals' and direct poisoning of people requires more precise evidence.

Toxic Coal Ash in North Carolina: Addressing Coal Plants’ Hazardous Legacy - Earthjustice

Toxic Coal Ash in North Carolina: Addressing Coal Plants’ Hazardous Legacy - Earthjustice

Source: earthjustice.org

At a glance

Key Evidence

Verified August 13, 2025
The reporting

What the Evidence Shows

Multiple credible sources confirm that Duke Energy's coal ash storage practices in North Carolina have resulted in significant groundwater pollution. The company has stored coal ash in unlined pits, which has allowed hazardous substances such as arsenic, cobalt, and radioactive materials to leach into groundwater and nearby water bodies. This contamination poses environmental and public health risks, including potential impacts on drinking water supplies.

However, the claim specifically mentions 'toxic forever chemicals' (commonly referring to PFAS compounds), which are a distinct class of persistent chemicals. The available sources primarily document pollution from coal ash-related heavy metals and radioactive substances rather than PFAS or similar 'forever chemicals.' While the contamination is serious and harmful, the direct linkage to PFAS-type chemicals is not clearly established in the provided evidence.

Furthermore, the phrase 'poisoning people' implies confirmed widespread human health impacts directly attributable to this contamination. While there is documented risk and some municipalities have taken action to remove contaminants from water supplies, definitive proof of widespread poisoning is not detailed in these sources.

In response to these issues, Duke Energy has agreed to undertake one of the largest coal ash cleanups in U.S. History, indicating acknowledgment of the problem and steps toward remediation.

Key points:

Duke Energy’s unlined coal ash pits have polluted groundwater with hazardous substances.

Contaminants include arsenic, cobalt, and radioactive materials but not conclusively PFAS ('forever chemicals').

There is environmental and public health risk; municipalities are actively addressing contamination.

Duke Energy is committed to removing coal ash to safer storage sites.

Overall, the claim about groundwater pollution and harmful shortcuts by Duke Energy is supported by evidence, but the specific mention of 'forever chemicals' and direct poisoning requires more precise substantiation.

Primary trail

Verified Sources7

Duke Energy Confirms Pollution of Groundwater, Stability Problems at Unlined...

southernenvironment.org
Open source

Duke Energy filings confirm groundwater pollution at Carolinas coal ash sites

southernenvironment.org
Open source

Duke Energy Filings Confirm Groundwater Pollution at Coal Ash Sites in Carolinas

selc.org
Open source
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