Environmental groups are coalescing to get Duke Power to shut down its coal-ash-producing operations. They fear groundwater contamination. Included in the shut-downs would be the plant on Lake Julian.

Duke spokesperson Erin Culbert said Duke monitors the groundwater, and the large utility would take mitigative steps were it to find “impacts . . . that would pose a health concern for neighbors.”

“These special interest groups rely on emotion, not facts, to advance their mission to phase out coal,” she said. “We are steadfast that Duke Energy customers should not bear the cost burden of these groups’ fundraising campaigns.”

To solve the dispute, let us resort to the scientific method:

“I’m Republican!”

“I’m Democrat! “

“ARRRRRGH!”

“ARRRRRRRGH!”

Done.