PUBLIC NOTICE
N.C. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSED COAL ASH IMPOUNDMENT CLOSURE PLAN FOR DUKE ENERGY CAROLINAS’ MARSHALL POWER STATION IN CATAWBA 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 16.8 million tons of coal ash from the Ash Basin. The ash will be removed to an expansion of the existing onsite permitted lined landfill (1812-INUDS-2008). Portions of the ash basin that are underneath the Phase II of the existing permitted Dry Ash Landfill (1804-INDUS-1983) and the solar panel structural fill (CCB0031) will not be excavated. Additional protective measures will be instituted to ensure protection of groundwater, including stabilization of ash within the basin with a permanent structure or equivalent, a synthetic cap on the landfill and structural fill and additional groundwater monitoring. The corrective action plan for addressing groundwater at the site will include remedial measures designed to address any groundwater contamination as required by the rules and statutes. The proposed closure plan estimates landfill expansion construction and CCR excavation will begin in 2021. CCR excavation will be completed in 2034 with final landfill closure in 2035. The proposed closure plan is currently under review by department staff. A copy of the proposed closure plan for Marshall may be reviewed at the Catawba County Health Department, Catawba 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 18, 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: marshallcomments@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 Marshall Power Station in Catawba County will start at 6 p.m. on February 26 at Maiden High School, 600 W. Main Street, Maiden N.C. 28650. Speaker registration will begin at 5:30 p.m.