State environmental officials have issued a permit for a Duke Energy coal ash landfill at the utility's plant in Skyland.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality permit allows Duke Energy to move forward with plans to construct and operate a lined industrial landfill to store coal ash now contained in an unlined impoundment on the same property. The issuance of the permit aligns with the designation of the Asheville Steam Plant as high priority under the Coal Ash Management Act of 2014. This designation mandated full excavation of the onsite coal ash impoundments.
The coal plant was replaced by one that burns natural gas.
In addition to the protective liner, the landfill will be constructed with a system to collect wastewater. Duke Energy also will be required to conduct regular environmental monitoring of water quality around the landfill and correct any problems if they are identified.
STORY COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOS. https://wlos.com/news/local/duke-energy-gets-permit-to-build-landfill-at-asheville-steam-plant-site
