PUBLIC NOTICE
N.C. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSED COAL ASH IMPOUNDMENT CLOSURE PLAN FOR DUKE ENERGY CAROLINAS’ CLIFFSIDE POWER STATION IN RUTHERFORD 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 7.4 million tons of coal ash from the Active Ash Basin and Inactive Unit 5 Ash Basin. The ash will be removed to an expansion of the existing permitted lined landfill (8106-INUDS-2009) located onsite. The proposed closure plan estimates landfill expansion construction and CCR excavation will begin in 2021. CCR excavation will be completed in 2028 with final landfill closure in 2029. The proposed closure plan is currently under review by department staff. A copy of the proposed closure plan for Cliffside may be reviewed at both the Rutherford and Cleveland County Health Departments, Rutherford and Cleveland County Public Libraries, or online at: https://deq.nc.gov/news/key-issues/coal-ash-excavation.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The public is encouraged to provide feedback on the proposed closure plan. All comments received by March 17, 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: rogerscomments@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 Cliffside Power Station in Rutherford County will start at 6 p.m. on February 25 at Chase High School, 1603 Chase High Road, Forest City, N.C. 28043. Speaker registration will begin at 5:30 p.m.
edited to update email address for comment submission.