From senator Angela Bryant:
SB 729- Coal Ash Timelines
Disposal of coal ash (G.S. 130A-309.208, page 10):
- July 1, 2014 – No new impoundments or expansion of existing impoundments.
- October 1, 2014 – No coal ash disposed in impoundments at retired plants.
- December 31, 2018 – No stormwater discharged into impoundments at retired plants.
- December 31, 2019 – No stormwater discharged into any impoundment.
- December 31, 2018 – Must convert to disposal of dry fly ash or retire the electric generating facility (no wet disposal of fly ash).
- December 31, 2019 – Must convert to disposal of dry bottom ash or retire the electric generating facility (no wet disposal of bottom ash).
Groundwater and Surface Water Protection:
- Groundwater Protection (G.S.130A-309.209, pages 10-12):
o December 31, 2014 – Groundwater Assessment and Corrective Action.
- Proposed Groundwater Assessment Plan for each impoundment – must be implemented no later 180 days from approval.
- Proposed Groundwater Corrective Action Plan must be submitted within 90 days of results from the Assessment – must be implemented no later than 30 days from approval.
o October 1, 2014 – Drinking Well Water Supply Well Survey and Provision of Alternate Water Supply – must provide alternate drinking water supply within 30 days of notice of a groundwater quality exceedance.
- Surface Water Protection (G.S. 130A-309.210, pages 13-15):
o December 31, 2014 – Surface Water Assessment and Corrective Action.
- Submit topographic map of all discharges including outfalls and seeps from impoundments.
- Proposed Unpermitted Discharge Assessment Plan – must be implemented no later than 30 days from approval.
- Proposed Surface Water Corrective Action Plan must be submitted within 30 days of notification of violation of surface water quality standards – must be implemented within 30 days of approval.
Prioritization (G.S. 130A-309.211, pages 15-17):
- August 1, 2015 – Other than the impoundments identified in the bill as high-priority, the impoundments will be prioritized for closure based on the risk level of the impoundments.
Closure of Impoundments (G.S. 130A-309.212, pages 17-24 and Section 3.(b) and (c), pages 30-31):
- August 1, 2019 – High-priority impoundments must be closed. These impoundments are located at the following plants:
o Dan River Steam Station in Rockingham County.
o Riverbend Steam Station in Gaston County.
o Asheville Steam Station in Buncombe County.
o Sutton Plant in New Hanover County.
- December 31, 2019 – High-risk impoundments must be closed.
- December 31, 2024 – Intermediate-risk impoundments must be closed.
· December 31, 2029 – Low-risk impoundments must be closed.