Rick Dove/Waterkeeper Alliance

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency does not regulate the disposal of coal ash—a toxic byproduct of coal-burning power plants. So utility companies unceremoniously dump the gunk into unlined pits, where it can leach heavy metals into the ground and contaminate drinking water. Last February, a disastrous spill at a Duke Energy power plant in North Carolina spewed nearly 40,000 tons of coal ash into the Dan River, highlighting the need for better regulation. In this segment from 60 Minutes, Lesley Stahl reports on how Duke, the largest utility in the country, is dealing with the fallout (or trying not to).

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