NC H1226

Prohibits electric utilities from recovering costs related to coal combustion residuals management and unlawful discharges from coal ash surface impoundments from retail customers, effective January 1, 2014.

Bans construction of new and expansion of existing coal ash surface impoundments on July 1, 2014, and prohibits disposal of coal ash into these impoundments after August 1, 2014, requiring disposal in sanitary landfills or beneficial use instead.

Requires coal ash surface impoundment owners to conduct drinking water supply well surveys by October 1, 2014, and provide alternate potable water supplies if contamination is found.

Directs the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to classify all coal ash surface impoundments as low-, intermediate-, or high-risk by December 1, 2014, with closure deadlines of August 1, 2029, August 1, 2024, and August 1, 2019, respectively; four specific Duke Energy facilities must close by January 1, 2017.

Establishes emergency action plan requirements for high- and intermediate-hazard dams, strengthens wastewater discharge reporting requirements, places temporary moratorium on coal ash use as structural fill, and appropriates $1.75 million for implementation.