North Carolina County Reluctantly Accepts Toxic Coal Ash Stockpile for $19 Million

Duke Energy faces a difficult challenge of how to dispose of 108 million tons of coal ash in North Carolina, and the recent deal with Chatham County is one step toward addressing the company’s ongoing dilemma over coal ash storage. Late last year NC Governor Pat McCrory appeared on CBS' 60 Minutes and spoke candidly about the utility’s environmental track record:

“I think the record’s been quite poor because, frankly, it’s been out of sight and out of mind,” said McCrory, a longtime Duke executive. He questioned how much Duke knew about potential structural problems at its ash ponds.

Duke Energy provides electric service across the Carolinas, Ohio and Indiana. The company’s struggle to safely contain the substance became national news earlier last year when 82,000 tons of coal ash mixed with 27 million gallons of contaminated water escaped into North Carolina’s Dan River, turning the river gray for miles. The company spent $15 Million containing the spill along with additional fines, however the event led to the discovery that most wells near ash ponds adjacent to Duke Energy facilities are contaminated. Groundwater testing revealed contamination at all 14 of Duke’s coal-fired power plants in the state, but Duke believes the contamination from leaching is naturally-occurring phenomenon.

Large-diameter leachate pipe seen at one of Duke Energy's state-of-the-art coal ash waste disposal sites.

Coal ash is leftover from burning coal to make electricity and contains toxins such as arsenic, chromium and lead. Coal power plants across the U.S. generate 140 million tons of coal ash annually, stored in 1,100 ponds mainly in the eastern states. North Carolina is home to 37 ponds, however there are 10 other states with more—Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky all have over 50.

Some locations, like Lee County, North Carolina, have expressed greater opposition to the prospect of hosting new toxic landfill sites, however. While Duke continues to address the issue and look for new places to safely store its toxic byproduct, events over the last year have also called attention to the overall lack of coal ash regulation at the federal level.Duke Energy is currently developing highly protective coal ash landfills in several counties, including the recently-approved Chatham County site. The landfills will be lined with an impermeable plastic membrane and will be equipped with equipment intended to monitor sites for at least 30 years.