Coal Ash Excavation
Excavation
DEQ has secured the largest coal ash excavation in the nation’s history. More than 80 million tons of coal ash will be excavated in North Carolina.
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Next Steps
DEQ will review the submitted closure plans and provide an opportunity for public comment at public hearings starting in February before taking final action.
Closure Determination
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has secured the excavation of more than 80 million tons of coal ash in North Carolina. Under a settlement agreement with community and environmental groups and Duke Energy that ends the appeal litigation, Duke Energy will move forward with excavation plans at the Allen, Belews Creek, Cliffside, Marshall, Mayo and Roxboro sites, moving coal ash into on-site lined landfills. The terms of that agreement were incorporated into a Consent Order entered in court on February 5, 2020.
The excavation is the largest coal ash clean up in the nation’s history and will result in more excavation than in four neighboring states combined.
Closure plans are posted for each facility below.
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