Duke Energy has settled a 15-year-old Clean Air Act case with US Environmental Protection Agency for $5.4 million.
The case concerned allegations that the company made improper modifications to more than a dozen power generating units and failed to install necessary environmental controls.
UtilityDive reports that the said case centered on the five of Duke’s coal-fired facilities in North Carolina.
ALSO READ: US government to end case against Duke Energy
Besides agreeing to pay $975,000 as civil penalty, Duke has agreed to spend $4.4 million on environmental projects and donations, including up to $600,000 for clean energy and energy efficiency projects in economically distressed counties in North Carolina and South Carolina.
Under the settlement, Duke is also to permanently retire Allen Units 1 and 2, each with a capacity of 165 MW, by 2024.
Duke, however, has not admitted to any wrongdoing. While denying alleged violations, the company has maintained it has fully complied with federal law.
The company had stated that it was agreeing to settle the case solely to avoid the costs and uncertainties of continued litigation.
Ajith Kumar S