CHARLOTTE, N.C. — People who live near Duke Energy's Riverbend plant told Channel 9 they're glad the utility has submitted a proposal to remove coal ash from the site and away from Charlotte's main source of drinking water.
Read our past coverage:
- DENR details steps taken to address coal-ash plants
- Environmentalists: Coal ash compromise is weak
- Coal ash action plan clears North Carolina Senate
- Records: Duke warned about pipe that caused spill
- Feds subpoena more records in NC coal ash probe
“I’d like to see it gone,” said Brian Walker, who lives near the plant. “It was a dusty operation when they put it in here so hopefully it isn’t that way when they take it out.”
The Riverbend plant is one of four facilities included in Duke Energy’s coal ash excavation plan. The other sites include Asheville Steam Electric Plant, Dan River Steam Station and L.V. Sutton Steam Electric Plant.
The utility announced Thursday it submitted the plans to the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
One million tons of coal ash is proposed to be removed from the Riverbend facility under phase one of the proposal. There is a total of 4.6 million tons stored at the site.
Ninety percent of the coal ash will go to clay mines in Moncure and Sanford, North Carolina and 10 percent will go to a cement company in Roanoke, Virginia.
Duke Energy plans to transport the toxic material by trucks and then by train.
People who live near the plant expressed some concern to Channel 9 about traffic and possible air pollution.
"We live here and we're outside a lot, especially with our kids," said Meredith Poore, the mother of two children.
Catawba's Riverkeeper Sam Perkins shared the same concern with Channel 9 but said he supports the proposal to remove the coal ash from Charlotte's primary drinking reservoir, Mountain Island Lake.
"Our biggest concern is to make sure coal ash isn't blowing into the air during transport," said Perkins.
Trucks will have to use Brookshire Boulevard, Interstates 485, 85 and 77 to transport the coal ash to the mines.
Duke Energy told Channel 9 they'll take every precaution to keep people safe and minimize toxins.
"We'll be covering, wrapping and washing the trucks before they leave the site," said Scott Sutton with Duke Energy.
In total, Duke Energy plans to remove approximately 5.1 million tons of ash from the four sites, representing 30 percent of the total ash stored there, within 12-18 months.
DENR will need to approve the proposal before Duke Energy can move forward with Phase 1 of the project.
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