NASHVILLE (AP) - The state has fined an Anderson County coal company $50,000 for improperly discharging 1 million gallons of untreated water and coal waste into the New River in January.

According to an order by Commissioner Robert J. Martineau Jr. of the Department of Environment and Conservation, Premium Coal Co. faces $146,000 in further fines for non-compliance of regulations.

The company has told investigators that the discharge occurred for 12 hours Jan. 3. State officials have said drinking water was not affected.

Premium owns and operates the Baldwin coal preparation plant and Gum Branch slurry impoundment in Anderson County. It has 30 days to appeal the order, which was signed March 21.

An after-hours phone call Tuesday evening seeking comment from the company went unanswered.