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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's attorney general says Duke Energy's coal ash pits must be cleaned up to protect the state's waterways, but consumers should not foot the bill.

The Senate is considering legislation to force Duke to close all of its North Carolina ash pits by 2029. Duke has 100 million tons of coal ash stored in 33 leaky, unlined pits along rivers and lakes.

Duke has said it could take decades and cost up to $10 billion if it's forced to remove the ash, with most of the costs passed along to the company's ratepayers.

But Attorney General Roy Cooper says Duke has the money for the cleanup, and is urging legislators not to pass along the costs.

He says many consumers and businesses cannot afford to pay more for power.