Duke Energy pushing its "cap and leak" plan vigorously

And contaminating the editorial pages in the process:

Both capping and excavation closure approaches provide similar benefits to groundwater, and a spectrum of options is available to enhance its protection if needed. Excavation is not necessary to protect groundwater, though it may be selected for other technical reasons.

This drives us to look at solutions from both a statewide perspective and from the perspective of the individual community. In many respects, closing basins on plant property with a protective cap better protects the local and broader environment.

There's no doubt the whole purpose of this science-deprived sales pitch was to soften people up to prepare them for what is to come; the majority of leaking coal ash ponds are merely going to be capped in place. This also explains the DEQ's flip-flop back in late 2015 to classify most sites as "low-risk." If we lived in a two-dimensional world, it might work. But we don't, and groundwater easily penetrates the sides of an unlined landfill, and carries those contaminants with it into streams, lakes, and groundwater aquifers. Just ask the people in this Montana township if you're still skeptical:

http://ift.tt/1WAJAK4