U.S. attorney still investigating N.C. agency in coal-ash probe

As part of its plea agreement with federal prosecutors, Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) has agreed to cooperate in a continuing investigation of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Duke’s attorney, Jim Cooney, says the company is not a target of the continuing investigation. And he says the U.S. attorney has not presented Duke with any evidence that the company engaged in any improper influence over regulators. Duke’s agreement to cooperate is part of its guilty plea to nine misdemeanor…