NC0003433_Cape Fear SOC Quarterly Report_20210730

DUKE
ENERGY
July 30, 2021
Via Overnight Mail
Scott Vinson
Raleigh Regional Supervisor
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Water Resources
3800 Barret Drive
Raleigh, NC 27609
Bob Sledge
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Water Quality Permitting Program
Division of Water Resources
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
James Wells
Vice President
Environmental, Health and Safety
Programs & Environmental Sciences
526 South Church Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
[phone]
Subject: Report Under Special Order by Consent — EMC SOC WQ S19-001
Duke Energy Progress, LLC — Cape Fear Steam Station
NPDES Permit NC0003433
Quarterly Progress Report for 2nd Quarter 2021
Dear Messrs. Vinson and Sledge:
On behalf of Duke Energy Progress, LLC (DEP), I am submitting to you the Cape Fear Steam
Station Progress Report summarizing the work and activities undertaken with respect to closure of
coal ash surface impoundments as required by the Cape Fear Steam Station NPDES Permit
NC0003433 Special Order by Consent (SOC), SOC No. S19-001 Section 2.b.4).
Please direct any questions concerning the Cape Fear Steam Station SOC No. S 19-001 to Joyce
Dishmon at [phone].
As required by the SOC, I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were
prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that
qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry
of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for
gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief

Messrs. Vinson and Sledge
July 30, 2021
Page 2
true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false
information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations.
Sincerely,
C".V24Iea4_
James Wells
Vice President, Environmental, Health & Safety
Programs and Environmental Sciences
Duke Energy
Attachment
Cape Fear Steam Station Quarterly Progress Report
CC: Richard Baker, Duke Energy
Chris Hallman, Duke Energy
Joyce Dishmon, Duke Energy
Jonathan Stamas, Duke Energy
Jessica Bednarcik, Duke Energy
Matt Hanchey, Duke Energy
Shannon Langley, Duke Energy
Randy Hart, Duke Energy

NPDES PERMIT NC0003433
SPECIAL ORDER BY CONSENT EMC SOC WQ S19-001
QUARTERLY EXCAVATION PROGRESS REPORT
CAPE FEAR STEAM ELECTRIC PLANT
J U LY 30, 2021

Background and Summary
On January 27, 2020, Duke Energy Progress, LLC (DEP) and the North Carolina Environmental Management
Commission entered into a Special Order by Consent — EMC SOC WQ S19-001 (SOC) applicable to the Cape
Fear Steam Electric Plant (Cape Fear). This report is submitted in accordance with Section 2.b.4) of the SOC.
In compliance with Section 2.b.4), this report summarizes the work and activities undertaken with respect to
decanting work and closure of coal ash surface impoundments at Cape Fear. The quarterly reports are due
no later than the last day of January, April, July, and October for the duration of the SOC.
The Cape Fear Steam Electric Plant is located near Moncure, NC (Chatham County), near the Cape Fear River.
The Cape Fear Plant began commercial operation in 1923. Two of the site's six coal-fired units were retired in
1977 and two in 2011. The remaining two coal-fired units, along with four on site oil -fueled combustion
turbine units, were retired in October 2012.
The five regulated Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) basins associated with the historical coal-fired generation
are also located on the site. The ash basins cover approximately 173 acres, with a current ash inventory of
approximately 5.8 million tons of ash, as of January 2020. The basins are referred to as:
• 1956 Ash Basin (State ID: CHATH-075)
• 1963 Ash Basin (State ID: CHATH-076)
• 1970 Ash Basin (State ID: CHATH-077)
• 1978 Ash Basin (State ID: CHATH-078)
• 1985 Ash Basin (State ID: CHATH-079)
Cape Fear was chosen on June 30, 2017, as an ash beneficiation site required by NC House Bill 630. Pursuant to
NC House Bill 630, 300,000 tons of ash from the site must be beneficiated to specifications appropriate for
cementitious products each year. NC House Bill 630 also requires that the ash basins at sites with ash
beneficiation products shall be closed no later than December 31, 2029. Excavation of ash from the Cape Fear
site for beneficial use will occur over multiple years. Construction activities began in July 2019. Ash removed
from the site will be beneficiated by SEFA, with whom Duke Energy has entered into an agreement to process
and sell ash from the Cape Fear Basins for use in the concrete industry. Operation of the plant commenced
in January 2021. Ash delivery to feed the STAR facility, operated by SEFA, will continue, until all ash in the
basins have been recycled, which is estimated to be completed in 2035.
Excavation of Cape Fear's 1985 Ash Basin began on December 18, 2020 and is ongoing. During the period,
from April 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021, Cape Fear excavated 78,557 tons of ash, bringing the grand
total to 157,007 tons of excavated ash.
Cape Fear: 2

Decanting Status
Prior to the Special Order by Consent, Duke Energy commenced decanting of the Cape Fear 1985 and 1978
Ash Basins on January 25, 2017. Decanting was completed on November 11, 2019. Dewatering of the 1985
and 1978 Ash Basins began on November 11, 2019 and will continue throughout beneficial reuse and closure.
Dewatering activity at the site utilizes the new water treatment system that discharges to Outfall 008.
Cape Fear: 3