PUBLIC NOTICE
N.C. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSED COAL ASH IMPOUNDMENT CLOSURE PLAN FOR DUKE ENERGY CAROLINAS’ BELEWS CREEK POWER STATION IN STOKES COUNTY
CLOSURE PLANS SUMMARY
Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC submitted a proposed coal combustion residuals (CCR) impoundment closure plan to the Department of Environmental Quality on the December 31, 2019 deadline, as required by the Coal Ash Management Act (CAMA). The proposed closure plan describes the excavation and removal of an estimated 11.9 million tons of coal ash from the CCR Basin. The ash will be removed to a new lined landfill located in the northeast corner of the CCR Basin footprint. The ash underneath the Pine Hall Road Landfill, which is capped with a geosynthetic cap and has been closed pursuant to permit 8503-INDUS-1984 will not be excavated. If Duke Energy is not able to demonstrate on or before February 1, 2020, that it is able to meet the requirements of paragraph 17, Duke shall submit an addendum to the closure plan on or before February 15, 2020, providing for the full excavation of this ash, estimated at no more than 100,000 tons. The proposed closure plan estimates landfill construction will begin in 2021. CCR excavation will begin in 2023 and must be completed by 2034. The proposed closure plan is currently under review by department staff. A copy of the proposed closure plan for Belews Creek may be reviewed at the Stokes County Health Department, Stokes County Public Library or online at: https://deq.nc.gov/news/key-issues/coal-ash-excavation.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The public is encouraged to provide feedback on the draft proposed closure plan. All comments received by March 10, 2020 will be considered in determining whether the plan will be approved by the state. Written comments may be submitted to: Louise Hughes, N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, Attn: Louise Hughes 1601 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C., 27699-1601. Public comments may also be submitted by email to: belewscreekcomments@ncdenr.gov.
PUBLIC MEETING
In accordance with state law, the department will hold a public meeting and hearing (“public session”) in each county where the coal ash facilities are located. The public session will start with a meeting to provide information and answer questions immediately followed by a public hearing to record public comment. The public session for the Belews Creek Power Station in Stokes County will start at 6 p.m. on February 18 at Walnut Cove Elementary School, 1211 Walnut Cove School Road, Walnut Cove, N.C. 27052. Speaker registration will begin at 5:30 p.m.