Duke Energy builds momentum in safely closing ash basins across the Carolinas

CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy released the following statement regarding North Carolina's issuance today of necessary permits to Charah, Inc., a vendor engaged in closing ash basins, and its subsidiary, Green Meadow, LLC, for structural fill projects at clay mines in Lee and Chatham counties in North Carolina.

Duke Energy statement

With necessary permits in hand, we will move quickly to begin the next phase of our work in Lee and Chatham counties. The lined structural fill projects at those locations will safely store coal ash and turn unusable land into sites that can be developed in the future. 

In the initial phase of work, ash from the retired L.V. Sutton Steam Station and Riverbend Steam Station will be transported to the mine sites.

The company continues to await several other necessary state approvals before it can proceed with ash basin closure at a number of locations across North Carolina.

Ongoing activity to close ash basins

• Ash excavation is underway at three Carolinas sites, W.S. Lee Steam Station (Williamston, S.C.), Riverbend Steam Station (Mt. Holly, N.C.), and the Asheville (N.C.) Electric Generating Plant.
• Significant site preparation work is underway at the Dan River Steam Station (Eden, N.C.) and L.V. Sutton Steam Electric Plant (Wilmington, N.C.) as the company prepares to excavate ash and the company announced plans to permanently store ash in landfills on plant property.
• The company unveiled a $1.1 billion plan to retire the Asheville Electric Generating Plant early, replacing it with cleaner natural gas and solar, ending the coal era in Asheville.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy is the largest electric power holding company in the United States with approximately $121 billion in total assets. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 7.3 million electric customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest. Its commercial power and international energy business segments own and operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 250 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. 

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SOURCE Duke Energy