Marshall Steam Station Coal Ash Closure Plan

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 Marshall Steam Station and dispose of ash in a lined onsite landfill.

Duke submitted a closure plan by the December 31, 2019 deadline, as required by Coal Ash Management Act (CAMA) of 2016 and in accordance with the agreement.  

Next Steps

DEQ will review the closure plans and corrective action plans.  As required by CAMA, the public will have an opportunity to comment on the closure plans during a comment period and public meeting.

Public Meeting Submit comments

Under CAMA, DEQ’s final action on the closure plans is due within 120 days of receipt of the complete closure plans.  Within 60 days of approval, implementation of the plans must begin.

Facility Permit Information 

Closure Plan submitted 12/31/2019

Closure Plan submitted 12/31/2019

Marshall Closure by Excavation Plan and Appendices

Corrective Action Plan

Corrective Action Plan

Marshall Corrctive Action Plan

Closure Determination April 1, 2019

Closure Determination April 1, 2019

The Coal Ash Management Act (CAMA) provides three principal closure pathways:

  • Option A: closure in a manner allowed for a high-risk site, such as excavation and disposal in a lined landfill
  • Option B: closure with a cap-in-place system similar to the requirements for a municipal solid waste landfill
    • for this option, there is a further requirement that upon full implementation of the closure plan, the groundwater must be in compliance with the 2L standard at the compliance boundary of the impoundment.
  • Option C: closure in accordance with the federal CCR rule adopted by the EPA. 

After conducting a rigorous scientific review of Duke Energy’s proposals for Marshall, and conducting public listening sessions in impacted communities, DEQ has determined Option A is the only closure option that meets the requirements of Coal Ash Management Act to best protect public health and the environment. Coal ash must be excavated and moved to a lined landfill.

DEQ's Coal Ash Impoundment Closure Determination (April 1, 2019)

Preliminary Groundwater Flow and Transport Modeling (Fate Transport)

Community Impact Analysis (NEBA)

Comprehensive Site Assessment -- Report, Figures, Tables, and Appendices

Public Comments – January 2019

Saturated Ash Considerations

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