WHAT: Public meeting on the draft proposed coal ash risk classification for Cape Fear Steam Electric Plant
WHEN: 6 p.m. March 10 (registration for speakers starts at 5 p.m.)
WHERE: Central Carolina Community College, Building 2 Multipurpose Room, 764 West St., Pittsboro, N.C.
The public is invited to a meeting March 10 in Pittsboro to provide feedback on the state’s proposed risk classification for the coal ash pond at Duke Energy’s Cape Fear Steam Electric Plant in Chatham County.
The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at Central Carolina Community College’s Building 2 Multipurpose Room, 764 West St., Pittsboro, N.C.
As required by the coal ash law, the state environmental department developed the risk classifications for all of Duke Energy’s coal ash impoundments by assessing structural integrity and the potential impact on surface water and groundwater. The department’s proposed risk classification for the ash pond at the Cape Fear facility is intermediate. The state will consider all written and verbal public feedback before making the classification final.
The final risk classifications will determine the timeline for closing each of the utility’s 33 coal ash ponds. A coal ash pond is designated as high, intermediate or low risk. Coal ash ponds designated as high-risk must be excavated and closed by December 2019; intermediate risk ponds must be excavated and closed by December 2024; and low-risk ponds must be closed by December 2029
In keeping with the coal ash law, the state is hosting public meetings in each county where a coal ash facility is located and is giving people 60 days to offer feedback on the risk classifications. Written comments on the Cape Fear facility classification may be mailed to: N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, Attn: John Holley, 3800 Barrett Dr., Raleigh, N.C., 27609.
Comments may also be emailed to capefearcomments@ncdenr.gov. The public comment period will close on April 18.
The draft proposed coal ash risk classifications and related documents are available online at: http://deq.nc.gov/news/hot-topics/coal-ash-nc/draft-classifications.