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 the Coal Ash Management Act (CAMA) of 2016 and in accordance with the agreement. On April 29, 2020, DEQ issued its approval for the closure plan.
Next Steps
DEQ is reviewing the corrective action plans submitted by Duke. Within 60 days of approval, implementation of the plans must begin.
Closure Plan Decision
Closure Plan submitted 12/31/2019
Corrective Action Plan
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
Share this page: