A Lake Norman woman who developed kidney cancer sued Duke Energy on Wednesday over its disposal of toxic coal ash near and beneath lake-area homes and businesses in the 1990s and 2000s.

A Lake Norman woman who developed kidney cancer sued Duke Energy on Wednesday over its disposal of toxic coal ash near and beneath lake-area homes and businesses in the 1990s and 2000s.

A Lake Norman woman who developed kidney cancer sued Duke Energy on Wednesday over its disposal of toxic coal ash near and beneath lake-area homes and businesses in the 1990s and 2000s.

A Lake Norman woman who developed kidney cancer sued Duke Energy on Wednesday over its disposal of toxic coal ash near and beneath lake-area homes and businesses in the 1990s and 2000s.

A Lake Norman woman who developed kidney cancer sued Duke Energy on Wednesday over its disposal of toxic coal ash near and beneath lake-area homes and businesses in the 1990s and 2000s. Tanya Hall ...

So, it's thoroughly contaminated.” Aside from the health risks, coal ash dumps are prone to structural collapse. In Mooresville, a 20-foot sinkhole opened up and released coal ash into Lake Norman.

Duke Energy has removed about one-fifth of the coal ash stored in an unlined basin at its Marshall Steam Station on Lake Norman. The utility says it’s on pace to meet the state deadline early.