IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Federal Investigation Follows North Carolina Coal Ash Spill

<p>Federal authorities have launched a criminal investigation into a massive coal ash spill into a North Carolina River.</p><div></div>
Image: Amy Adams, North Carolina campaign coordinator with Appalachian Voices, shows her hand covered with wet coal ash
Amy Adams, North Carolina campaign coordinator with Appalachian Voices, shows her hand covered with wet coal ash from the Dan River swirling in the background as state and federal environmental officials continued their investigations of a spill of coal ash into the river in Danville, Va., Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014. Duke Energy estimates that up to 82,000 tons of ash has been released from a break in a 48-inch storm water pipe at the Dan River Power Plant in Eden N.C. on Sunday.Gerry Broome / AP

Federal authorities have launched a criminal investigation into a massive coal ash spill into a North Carolina River.

The state Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Duke Energy have been ordered by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Raleigh to turn over all relevant emails, memos and reports from 2010 through the Feb. 2 spill.

More than 80,000 tons of coal ash and 27 million gallons of contaminated water spewed into the Dan River, according to the Associated Press — enough to fill 73 Olympic-sized pools. It was the third largest coal ash spill in U.S. history.

Prosecutors ordered the state environmental agency's chief lawyer to appear next month before a grand jury.

Image: Coal ash swirls on the surface of the Dan River
Coal ash swirls on the surface of the Dan River as state and federal environmental officials continued their investigations of a spill of coal ash into the river in Danville, Va., Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014. Duke Energy estimates that up to 82,000 tons of ash has been released from a break in a 48-inch storm water pipe at the Dan River Power Plant in Eden N.C. on Sunday.Gerry Broome / AP
— Alessandra Malito