DEQ approves closure plan for Belmont coal ash site

BELMONT, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has approved a closure plan for Duke Energy’s Allen Steam Station in Belmont.

DEQ announced Thursday it now has a closure plan in place that meets the requirements of the Coal Ash Management Act and is protective of public health and the environment.

Under a Consent Order signed in Feb., Duke Energy is required to excavate more than 80 million tons of coal ash from open, unlined impoundments at several sites and place it in onsite lined landfills.

The closure plan for the Allen Steam Station outlines how nearly all of the coal ash will be excavated and moved to three new landfills in accordance with the order. Officials said a small amount of ash will remain and be capped in place for the structural stability of transmission towers.

The Belmont site was ranked second worst in the country when it comes to coal ash contamination. According to an environmental report, its coal ash dumps leaked cobalt into groundwater, more than 500 times above safe levels.

Channel 9 has covered concerns among neighbors near the Allen Steam Station for years. Many have been drinking bottled water for years because of concerns about their drinking water.

The closure plan decision, hearing officer’s report, submitted comments and closure plan documents for the Allen Steam Station facility can be found here.

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Cox Media Group