NC tells Duke Energy to submit ash removal plansAug 13 - Bruce Henderson The Charlotte ObserverNorth Carolina's environmental agency told Duke Energy on Wednesday to submit plans for removing coal ash from four high-priority power plants. The letters follow on Gov. Pat McCrory's executive order on ash after state legislators left Raleigh two weeks ago without completing an ash-disposal bill. The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources wants Duke to submit plans by Nov. 15 for excavating ash at the Asheville, Riverbend, Dan River and Sutton plants. Removals would start within two months of receiving state permits. Those four plants have been identified as high priority since Duke submitted its own ash disposal plan in March, following a Feb. 2 ash spill into the Dan River. DENR told Duke to submit surveys of private drinking water wells and surface water that could be contaminated by ash, at all 14 of its North Carolina coal plants, by Oct. 14. Duke is to also submit groundwater assessment plans. The department asks Duke to increase inspections of its 33 ash ponds for signs of deterioration in their dams or piping systems. State wastewater permits will be reopened for seven power plants, including Allen on Lake Wylie and Marshall on Lake Norman, to add conditions to stop illegal leaks at the plants, DENR said. "We will respond to the state as we advance our comprehensive plan for the management and closure of ash basins in North Carolina," Duke said in a statement. "We remain committed to fact-based and scientific solutions that protect the environment and groundwater." http://www.energycentral.com/functional/news/news_detail.cfm?did=33373608& |