Greensboro Woman Organizes Dan River Spill Protest

A Greensboro woman is urging people to power down to protest the Dan River coal ash spill.

Kathy Clark says she's heartbroken about the damage to the river caused by the Duke Energy coal ash spill last month. She launched a "Coal Ash Wednesday" Facebook page to urge others to join her in taking action by turning off their power every Wednesday from 7:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m EST.

Clark says the public protest is a chance to show Duke Energy that people want them to be a better steward of the environment.

When asked about coal ash Wednesday, Duke Energy spokeswoman Paige Sheehan says the company values a lot of perspectives. She says the leaking pipe at the Dan River was sealed several weeks ago and drinking water has always remained safe.

The company says the Dan River is back to pre-event water quality standards. Sheehan says, “Now it is time for us to look at our long-term plans for ash basins and that is work that we are doing right now.”

Clark says Coal Ash Wednesday will run through Easter.