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CHARLOTTE ? A new study released by environmental groups claims coal-fired power plants in North Carolina and across the country are now the largest source of toxic water pollution.
The report contends many coal plants -- which release coal ash into lakes and rivers ? have insufficient oversight and permits, affecting fish and other wildlife.
But Duke Energy officials strongly disagree with the study and stand by their treatment and water inspections.
On the banks of Mountain Island lake Tuesday, some of the nation's top environmental watchdogs didn't hold back.
Robert Kennedy Jr. of the Waterkeeper Alliance and others highlighted a new environmental report.
"This is a crime and environmental crime is real crime,? said Kennedy.
It contends 274 coal-fire power plants in the United States -- including the Riverbend Steam Plant in Gaston County -- discharged coal ash into waterways, making coal-fired power plants the nation's largest overall water polluter.
"In fact, it's so much, it's more than the next nine industries combined, those are things like chemical plants, refineries and paper mills,? said Mary Anne Hitt of the Sierra Club.
This group is pushing for the passage of a federal Environmental Protection Agency proposal. It would create stronger and more binding federal standards to limit toxic chemicals going from coal plants into lakes and rivers.
"This is a problem you can fix, we think the treatment technologies are at hand, we can put this behind us,? said Eric Schaeffer of the Environmental Integrity Project.
Officials at Duke Energy, which operates Riverbend Steam Station -- slammed the report saying it's filled with inaccuracies, especially about Riverbend.
"It's important for the public not to be misled by this kind of information,? said Duke Energy spokeswoman Erin Culbert. "Duke Energy has been sampling water quality there since the 1950s. We continue to find the water quality is a very high quality, fish have not been affected at all, and are very safe."
Culbert adds that Duke Energy is retiring Riverbend Station, ensuring that half of North Carolina's 14 coal-fired power plants will no longer be in service by year's end.
"We really have a long track of protecting water quality and being good stewards of these sites,? she said.
Mountain Island Lake provides drinking water to more than 850,000 people.
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