NC H566

Requires persons causing or contributing to water or air pollution to pay for cleanup costs and provide alternate or permanent replacement water supplies to affected residents under new Department of Environmental Quality authority.

Allows the Department Secretary to order polluters to immediately reduce or discontinue emissions/discharges and take corrective measures when water or air pollution causes danger to public health or safety.

Permits affected households to choose whole house filtration systems instead of connection to public water supply, with the responsible party liable for ongoing maintenance costs.

Prohibits electric public utilities from recovering from retail customers any costs incurred on or after January 1, 2014, related to coal combustion ash management or unlawful discharges from coal ash ponds, unless discharge resulted from force majeure.

Appropriates $75,000 in recurring General Fund monies to the Department of Environmental Quality for implementation.