July 9, 2015 | By Jaclyn Brandt

Duke Energy has long been known for coal in North Carolina, and, as they move away from those investments, they are also removing a symbol of the generation source that defined them for so long. The utility plans to demolish the two red-and-white smokestacks at their L.V. Sutton Plant in Wilmington.

Credit: Duke Energy

The smokestacks have been up for more than 40 years, and their removal represents Duke Energy's move toward more efficient-energy sources.

"These colorful stacks represent more than just a local power plant," said John Elliott, Duke Energy district manager. "They are a symbol of our long history of powering the Cape Fear region and contributing to industrial growth in the Carolinas. "As demolition of the structures begins, we will renew our commitment to providing customers with affordable, reliable energy from the new natural gas plant on site."

As the removal of the smokestacks are a symbol of Duke's past, the utility is looking to their future.

"We continually work to balance the needs of customers, delivering reliable, affordable and increasingly clean electricity," Duke Energy spokesperson Catherine Hope Butler told FierceEnergy. "Coal has been and continues to be an important fuel source, along with nuclear, natural gas, hydro, renewables and energy efficiency."

Butler explained that the recent retirements of many of Duke's coal-fired plants accounted for 52 percent of Duke Energy Progress's energy mix among their owned and operated facilities (but does not include renewable energy purchased for Duke customers) -- but now it accounts for 26 percent, added to 42.7 percent nuclear, 29.1 percent natural gas, and 1.1 percent hydro.

"Each fuel source has trade-offs, and having a diverse mix allows us to leverage the benefits of each for our customers," Butler explained. "Duke Energy is expanding solar operations. By the end of 2015 the company will own and operate four major solar facilities -- in Bladen, Duplin, and Wilson Counties along with a facility at Camp Lejeune."

Last week, Duke Energy received draft wastewater and stormwater permits for the Sutton Plant from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The permits will allow the company to begin the excavation process of their coal ash from the Sutton site, and move it to storage locations. Regulators approved the permits with additional provisions and limits to assure water quality in the area is protected during the basin closure.

"The draft permits have been modified to reflect the need to dewater basins prior to excavating coal ash," Duke Energy spokesperson Jeff Brooks told FierceEnergy. "Additional monitored outfalls were added to the permit, as well as updates to permit limits for various elements measured at the site."

The Sutton coal plant went into operation in 1954, and went into retirement in December 2013. Duke began decommissioning the plant soon after, at the same time they introduced a natural gas-fired unit on the site. The smokestack removal process includes using a helicopter to place steel equipment on each structure to assist the removal of the inner lining of each smokestack.

"Next, the contractor will attach a doughnut-shaped device to the top of each stack," Duke Energy said in a statement. "Over the next few months, the equipment will descend the height of the 550-foot stacks, methodically removing sections of concrete at a rate of approximately five to 10 feet per week."

The Sutton Plant is one of only nine plants in the area being retired, decommissioned, and demolished by Duke.

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