8106_Duke_Rogers_20170103IncidentBackground_DIN27260_20160117

1
Frost, Larry
From:Davidson, Landon
Sent:Wednesday, January 04, 2017 1:40 PM
To:Rusher, Mike J
Cc:Heim, Tim; Campbell, Ted; Price, Zan (George); Risgaard, Jon; Zimmerman, Jay; Bennett, Bradley;
Frost, Larry
Subject:RE: Request for information on Cliffside stormwater discharge
Mike‐ (details of reporting etc. will be in our Incident Report) 
We are drafting our incident report which should be completed by 3:30 today. I’m assuming you will be compiling 
information from other agencies to include DEMLR and DWM. Let me know if you need additional assistance or proofing 
of material. Note my mobile number below if office goes to voicemail (I will be here the remainder of the day). Here are 
some summary topics: 
 Duke Energy is reporting at least a 1000 gallons discharge from the stormwater basin impacted with coal ash. 
The discharge volume will likely be revised upwards as additional assessment is completed and calculations 
revised (based on conversation today with Duke personnel). It is not verifiable whether the water that was 
discharged contained coal ash material, solid phase or dissolved. No solid phase coal ash material was observed 
in the stormwater channel leading from the stormwater basin outlet to the channel and Suck Creek. Suck Creek 
is located approximately 1000 feet from the stormwater outlet. The stormwater channel is a dry conveyance 
except during discharge events. 
 According to Duke Energy personnel, efforts were made to plug the stormwater outlet prior to the discharge of 
stormwater discolored by coal ash material. Coal ash laden stormwater would discharge after flowing through a 
stormwater treatment pond that includes a skimmer device.  
 DWR is evaluating our regulatory response and will request additional information through that process as 
needed. Duke Energy is providing public notification pursuant to the reporting requirements of NCGS 143‐
215.1C(c). A follow‐up report will be submitted within 5 days providing additional detail on the release including 
revised discharge volume. Please note that DWM SW and/or DEMLR may have additional reporting 
requirements. No additional monitoring is being required by DWR at this time. 
 DWR is awaiting analytical results from Duke Energy of water samples collected just prior to the plugging of the 
impacted stormwater basin including samples of the discharged water. Duke Energy staff collected 9 water 
quality samples on the 3rd and one discharge sample prior to the event. This data will assist in determining the 
actual quality of the discharge. 
 DWR did not collect water samples during the inspection due to the observations made in the field in addition to 
the fact that the discharge was an acute event (i.e., was not an ongoing release and occurred several hours prior 
during a storm event).  
 DWR staff are back onsite today inspecting downstream areas. 

From 01/04/2017 email: 
Quick update now based on our phone call: 
‐An earthen berm at the lined coal ash landfill site was breached early this morning. 
‐Runoff flowed down a gravel road to a leachate impoundment area.  It subsequently crossed over another 
berm and entered a stormwater inlet that discharges to a large multi‐cell stormwater detention basin. 
‐The detention basin discharges via a Faircloth Skimmer device to a dry stormwater conveyance ditch.  It is 
approximately 700‐ft from the skimmer discharge location to Suck Creek.  
‐ARO staff did not observe any sediment or ash staining in the dry conveyance ditch during their site 
inspection. 
2
‐Duke has plugged the stormwater basin outlet and is using pumper trucks to move water from the basin back 
to the leachate collection system. 
‐Duke’s consultant is still working on a volume estimate.   
‐ARO staff that responded – Tim Heim, Ted Campbell, Kevin Mitchell 

G. Landon Davidson, P.G.
Regional Supervisor – Asheville Regional Office
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
NCDEQ – Division of Water Resources

828 296 4680 office
828 230 4057 mobile
[e-mail]

2090 U.S. Hwy. 70
Swannanoa, N.C. 28711

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

From: Rusher, Mike J  
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2017 12:07 PM 
To: Davidson, Landon <[e-mail]> 
Subject: RE: Request for information on Cliffside stormwater discharge 

Landon, the Governor’s press office would like us today to put out an updated release on the findings of this incident. If 
there is anyway you could provide a summary with some specifics for us to use that would be great.  Is that doable? 

Mike 

From: Davidson, Landon  
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2017 11:35 AM 
To: Rusher, Mike J <[e-mail]> 
Subject: RE: Request for information on Cliffside stormwater discharge 

I can as we work with him quite a bit. I wasn’t sure what process you wanted to use. I will copy you on the response 
which will be later today. Thanks. 

G. Landon Davidson, P.G.
Regional Supervisor – Asheville Regional Office
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
NCDEQ – Division of Water Resources

828 296 4680 office
828 230 4057 mobile
[e-mail]

2090 U.S. Hwy. 70
Swannanoa, N.C. 28711
3

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

From: Rusher, Mike J  
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2017 11:34 AM 
To: Davidson, Landon <[e-mail]> 
Subject: RE: Request for information on Cliffside stormwater discharge 

Got it thank you.  Would you like me to respond to the inquiry? 

Mike 

From: Davidson, Landon  
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2017 11:27 AM 
To: Rusher, Mike J <[e-mail]> 
Subject: FW: Request for information on Cliffside stormwater discharge 

Mike‐ 
Please note the following information request. At this point, we have DWR photos, DEMLR email with pics plus the 
incident report (being completed currently).  
Thanks. 

G. Landon Davidson, P.G.
Regional Supervisor – Asheville Regional Office
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
NCDEQ – Division of Water Resources

828 296 4680 office
828 230 4057 mobile
[e-mail]

2090 U.S. Hwy. 70
Swannanoa, N.C. 28711

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

From: Xavier Boatright [mailto:[e-mail]]  
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2017 10:19 AM 
To: Davidson, Landon <[e-mail]> 
Subject: Request for information on Cliffside stormwater discharge 

4
Hello Landon,
I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. I just recently read short a DEQ press release on the investigation of
the storm water spill at Duke Energy's Cliffside plant on yesterday, January 3rd. I wanted to make a request for
any notifications, verification of facts, rain event details, and pictures regarding the 4 foot section of the failed
berm and storm water system at the Rogers Energy Complex landfill.
Thanks,
Xavier
--
Xavier Boatright
Environmental Justice Organizer and Researcher
Clean Water for North Carolina
828-251-1291 / 1-800-929-4480
[e-mail]
1
Frost, Larry
From:Davidson, Landon
Sent:Tuesday, January 03, 2017 2:27 PM
To:Frost, Larry
Subject:FW: Cliffside Landfill

G. Landon Davidson, P.G.
Regional Supervisor – Asheville Regional Office
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
NCDEQ – Division of Water Resources

828 296 4680 office
828 230 4057 mobile
[e-mail]

2090 U.S. Hwy. 70
Swannanoa, N.C. 28711

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

From: Price, Zan (George)  
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2017 2:24 PM 
To: Zimmerman, Jay <[e-mail]>; Davidson, Landon <[e-mail]>; Risgaard, Jon 
<[e-mail]> 
Cc: Rusher, Mike J <[e-mail]>; Culpepper, Linda <[e-mail]>; Heim, Tim 
<[e-mail]>; Mitchell, Robert K <[e-mail]>; Campbell, Ted <[e-mail]>; 
Basinger, Corey <[e-mail]>; Pitner, Andrew <[e-mail]> 
Subject: RE: Cliffside Landfill 

Just got off the phone with our engineer, Tim Heim.  They are returning to the office right now so we should be able to 
provide additional details and photos soon.  

Quick update now based on our phone call: 
‐An earthen berm at the lined coal ash landfill site was breached early this morning. 
‐Runoff flowed down a gravel road to a leachate impoundment area.  It subsequently crossed over another berm and 
entered a stormwater inlet that discharges to a large multi‐cell stormwater detention basin. 
‐The detention basin discharges via a Faircloth Skimmer device to a dry stormwater conveyance ditch.  It is 
approximately 700‐ft from the skimmer discharge location to Suck Creek.  
‐ARO staff did not observe any sediment or ash staining in the dry conveyance ditch during their site inspection. 
‐Duke has plugged the stormwater basin outlet and is using pumper trucks to move water from the basin back to the 
leachate collection system. 
‐Duke’s consultant is still working on a volume estimate.   
‐ARO staff that responded – Tim Heim, Ted Campbell, Kevin Mitchell 
2

Zan Price, P.E.
Assistant Regional Supervisor – Asheville Regional Office
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
NCDEQ – Division of Water Resources

828 296 4662 office
828 231 9634 mobile
[e-mail]

2090 U.S. Hwy. 70
Swannanoa, N.C. 28711

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

From: Zimmerman, Jay  
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2017 2:10 PM 
To: Davidson, Landon <[e-mail]>; Price, Zan (George) <[e-mail]>; Risgaard, Jon 
<[e-mail]> 
Cc: Rusher, Mike J <[e-mail]>; Culpepper, Linda <[e-mail]> 
Subject: RE: Cliffside Landfill 

Agreed although there is a lot of interest in the details of what/how/when, etc and whether or not anything reached 
surface waters particularly if ash was discharged. Our new interim management as well as existing management are 
asking for details. Thanks for staying on top of this. 

S. Jay Zimmerman, P.G.  
Director 
Division of Water Resources 
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699‐1617 
Ph# (919) 707‐9027 
web page: http://www.ncwater.org/ 

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties unless the content is exempt by statute or other regulation.

From: Davidson, Landon  
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2017 2:06 PM 
To: Zimmerman, Jay <[e-mail]>; Price, Zan (George) <[e-mail]>; Risgaard, Jon 
<[e-mail]> 
Cc: Rusher, Mike J <[e-mail]>; Culpepper, Linda <[e-mail]> 
Subject: RE: Cliffside Landfill 

3
Jay, we’ll be back in touch shortly assuming we have contact with our staff. Please keep in mind this is a DWM SW 
permitted unit that was impacted and so that Division should be involved in any press release drafting perhaps. 
Back in touch soon. 

G. Landon Davidson, P.G.
Regional Supervisor – Asheville Regional Office
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
NCDEQ – Division of Water Resources

828 296 4680 office
828 230 4057 mobile
[e-mail]

2090 U.S. Hwy. 70
Swannanoa, N.C. 28711

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

From: Zimmerman, Jay  
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2017 2:02 PM 
To: Price, Zan (George) <[e-mail]>; Risgaard, Jon <[e-mail]> 
Cc: Davidson, Landon <[e-mail]>; Rusher, Mike J <[e-mail]>; Culpepper, Linda 
<[e-mail]> 
Subject: RE: Cliffside Landfill 
Importance: High 

Any updates on the incident including volumes? Can you verify who responded (divisions and/or staff) and the current 
status?  We’ve been asked to generate a press release so having good information to pass along would be great. 

Thanks  

S. Jay Zimmerman, P.G.  
Director 
Division of Water Resources 
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699‐1617 
Ph# (919) 707‐9027 
web page: http://www.ncwater.org/ 

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties unless the
content is exempt by statute or other regulation.

From: Price, Zan (George)  
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2017 11:57 AM 
To: Zimmerman, Jay <[e-mail]>; Risgaard, Jon <[e-mail]> 
Cc: Davidson, Landon <[e-mail]> 
Subject: RE: Cliffside Landfill 

4
Will do. 

Zan Price, P.E.
Assistant Regional Supervisor – Asheville Regional Office
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
NCDEQ – Division of Water Resources

828 296 4662 office
828 231 9634 mobile
[e-mail]

2090 U.S. Hwy. 70
Swannanoa, N.C. 28711

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

From: Zimmerman, Jay  
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2017 11:56 AM 
To: Price, Zan (George) <[e-mail]>; Risgaard, Jon <[e-mail]> 
Cc: Basinger, Corey <[e-mail]>; Pitner, Andrew <[e-mail]>; Davidson, Landon 
<[e-mail]> 
Subject: RE: Cliffside Landfill 

Thanks for the heads up. I forwarded to Tom Reeder and Tracy Davis. Please keep us posted of developments 
particularly if any sediment or ash has reached Suck Creek. 

S. Jay Zimmerman, P.G.  
Director 
Division of Water Resources 
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699‐1617 
Ph# (919) 707‐9027 
web page: http://www.ncwater.org/ 

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties unless the
content is exempt by statute or other regulation.

From: Price, Zan (George)  
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2017 10:46 AM 
To: Zimmerman, Jay <[e-mail]>; Risgaard, Jon <[e-mail]> 
Cc: Basinger, Corey <[e-mail]>; Pitner, Andrew <[e-mail]>; Davidson, Landon 
<[e-mail]> 
Subject: FW: Cliffside Landfill 

Jay and Jon, 
FYI.  See email below from ARO staff.   

5
For clarification, Tim’s mention of MRO is in reference to MRO DEMLR staff not DWR staff.  DEMLR staff indicated that 
they could not investigate until Thursday.  I just called Corey B to give him a heads up that ARO staff is heading to the 
site to investigate potential impacts to the creek.   

I have also forwarded the information below to Larry Frost with DWM.   

We will update you as soon as we have any new information.     

Zan Price, P.E.
Assistant Regional Supervisor – Asheville Regional Office
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
NCDEQ – Division of Water Resources

828 296 4662 office
828 231 9634 mobile
[e-mail]

2090 U.S. Hwy. 70
Swannanoa, N.C. 28711

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

From: Heim, Tim  
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2017 10:30 AM 
To: Campbell, Ted <[e-mail]>; Davidson, Landon <[e-mail]>; Price, Zan (George) 
<[e-mail]> 
Subject: RE: Cliffside Landfill 

Ted and I called Steve Hodges at Cliffside to verify information and then got in touch with James Moore at MRO. Steve 
reported that an earthen impoundment on top of the lined landfill backed up with water from a .5” overnight rain and 
overtoped, running down a truck ramp into the storm water system. The storm water system was discharging into Suck 
Creek. Steve was in the middle of sampling the storm water system and sediment that may have discharged. Volumes 
are unknown at this time.  MRO does not have anyone available, so Ted, Kevin and I will respond today and evaluate the 
site. The impounded water may have come in contact with coal ash from the landfill, but we have not verified this yet. 
MRO was not able to verify the status of the SW permit for the landfill.  

From: Campbell, Ted  
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2017 9:51 AM 
To: Davidson, Landon <[e-mail]>; Price, Zan (George) <[e-mail]>; Heim, Tim 
<[e-mail]> 
Cc: Campbell, Ted <[e-mail]> 
Subject: RE: Cliffside Landfill 

We will make a few calls now.  Will keep you posted. 

Ted R. Campbell, M.S.
Hydrogeologist, Program Consultant
6
Asheville Water Quality Regional Operations Section
NCDEQ – Division of Water Resources

828 296 4683 office
email: [e-mail]

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. 

From: Davidson, Landon  
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2017 9:48 AM 
To: Price, Zan (George) <[e-mail]>; Heim, Tim <[e-mail]>; Campbell, Ted 
<[e-mail]> 
Subject: RE: Cliffside Landfill 

May need to connect with Zahid as well. 

G. Landon Davidson, P.G.
Regional Supervisor – Asheville Regional Office
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
NCDEQ – Division of Water Resources

828 296 4680 office
828 230 4057 mobile
[e-mail]

2090 U.S. Hwy. 70
Swannanoa, N.C. 28711

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

From: Price, Zan (George)  
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2017 9:47 AM 
To: Davidson, Landon <[e-mail]>; Heim, Tim <[e-mail]>; Campbell, Ted 
<[e-mail]> 
Subject: RE: Cliffside Landfill 

Yes. 

Zan Price, P.E.
Assistant Regional Supervisor – Asheville Regional Office
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
NCDEQ – Division of Water Resources

828 296 4662 office
828 231 9634 mobile
[e-mail]

2090 U.S. Hwy. 70
Swannanoa, N.C. 28711
7

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

From: Davidson, Landon  
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2017 9:45 AM 
To: Heim, Tim <[e-mail]>; Campbell, Ted <[e-mail]> 
Cc: Price, Zan (George) <[e-mail]> 
Subject: RE: Cliffside Landfill 

Ted/Tim‐ 
Will one of you connect with MRO and determine what landfill has been impacted, verify whether this involves coal ash, 
etc. Please prepare an email for Jay and Jon and send to them summarizing findings. Also, we need to verify with MRO 
whether they or us will address any sediment removal in stream. Zan, will you contact Corey to inquire once you have 
necessary information? If coal ash is involved, obviously DWM would be lead if their landfill but if impact to stream, we 
would need to address (visit, sample, etc). Keep me posted please. Thanks. 

G. Landon Davidson, P.G.
Regional Supervisor – Asheville Regional Office
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
NCDEQ – Division of Water Resources

828 296 4680 office
828 230 4057 mobile
[e-mail]

2090 U.S. Hwy. 70
Swannanoa, N.C. 28711

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

From: Heim, Tim  
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2017 9:15 AM 
To: Davidson, Landon <[e-mail]>; Campbell, Ted <[e-mail]> 
Subject: Cliffside Landfill 

Just received verbal notification (From Melanie Gardener) that an earthen berm at the Cliffside facility landfill 
overtopped/failed and resulted in a release into the storm water system and eventually Suck Creek. The release has 
ceased and efforts are underway to move escaped sediment back into the leachate pond. They are still working on 
estimating the volume. A formal report will be forthcoming.  The DEMLR SW folks in MRO have been notified as well.  

Regards 
‐Tim 
8

Tim Heim, P.E.
Environmental Engineer – Asheville Regional Office
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
NCDEQ – Division of Water Resources

828 296 4500 office
email: [e-mail]

2090 U.S. Hwy. 70
Swannanoa, N.C. 28778

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

1
Frost, Larry
From:Reeder, Tom
Sent:Wednesday, January 04, 2017 4:23 PM
To:Davidson, Landon; Vinson, Toby; Davis, Tracy; Rusher, Mike J
Cc:Bennett, Bradley; Cole, Brad; Khan, Zahid; Moore, James; Keen, Holliday V; Price, Zan (George);
Watkins, Jason; Zimmerman, Jay; Risgaard, Jon; Mitchell, Robert K; Frost, Larry
Subject:RE: Duke Energy-Cliffside Steam Station: Inspection January 3, 2016 for potential release of coal ash
(none observed)
Thanks, Landon.  I really appreciate all the follow up that all of the Divisions did on this incident and the excellent 
reporting.   

Tom Reeder 
Assistant Secretary for Environment 
NC Department of Environmental Quality 

Office: 919‐707‐8619 
Cell: 919‐630‐9241 
[e-mail] 

1601 Mail Service Center 
Raleigh NC 27699‐1601 

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

From: Davidson, Landon  
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2017 4:08 PM 
To: Vinson, Toby <[e-mail]>; Reeder, Tom <[e-mail]>; Davis, Tracy 
<[e-mail]>; Rusher, Mike J <[e-mail]> 
Cc: Bennett, Bradley <[e-mail]>; Cole, Brad <[e-mail]>; Khan, Zahid 
<[e-mail]>; Moore, James <[e-mail]>; Keen, Holliday V <[e-mail]>; 
Price, Zan (George) <[e-mail]>; Watkins, Jason <[e-mail]>; Zimmerman, Jay 
<[e-mail]>; Risgaard, Jon <[e-mail]>; Mitchell, Robert K 
<[e-mail]>; Frost, Larry <[e-mail]> 
Subject: RE: Duke Energy‐Cliffside Steam Station: Inspection January 3, 2016 for potential release of coal ash (none 
observed) 

Just FYI. Today, DWR ARO staff walked the stormwater drainage channel from the outlet to the confluence with Suck 
Creek. Approximately 300 ft downstream from the outlet, jurisdictional waters (UT) were encountered and continued to 
the confluence with Suck Creek. A series of beaver dams were present from this area to Suck Creek. The mouth of Suck 
Creek here was described as back‐water and slow. No coal ash material nor discolored water was observed throughout 
the reach of the channel, UT nor Suck Creek. 
2
No new information I realize but just keeping everyone informed. 
Thanks. 

G. Landon Davidson, P.G.
Regional Supervisor – Asheville Regional Office
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
NCDEQ – Division of Water Resources

828 296 4680 office
828 230 4057 mobile
[e-mail]

2090 U.S. Hwy. 70
Swannanoa, N.C. 28711

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

From: Vinson, Toby  
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2017 9:06 AM 
To: Reeder, Tom <[e-mail]>; Davis, Tracy <[e-mail]> 
Cc: Bennett, Bradley <[e-mail]>; Cole, Brad <[e-mail]>; Khan, Zahid 
<[e-mail]>; Moore, James <[e-mail]>; Keen, Holliday V <[e-mail]>; 
Davidson, Landon <[e-mail]>; Price, Zan (George) <[e-mail]>; Watkins, Jason 
<[e-mail]> 
Subject: FW: Duke Energy‐Cliffside Steam Station: Inspection January 3, 2016 for potential release of coal ash (none 
observed) 

Tom, 

Here are pictures and comments from our MRO staff.  According to their inspection yesterday, all material was captured 
in the Skimmer basin below the landfill and no visible offsite was observed beyond the skimmer or in Suck Creek.  It is 
my understanding that Duke took a stormwater sample from that basin and are analyzing the results.  Duke is supposed 
to provide a written report within five days to provide us with information on what occurred and what their response 
was and will be to address the issue.  The MRO will be sending inspections reports at this time of their current findings 
for their SW permit as well as Sediment and Construction SW.  Once we receive their report and sample results, we will 
be making a determination on if further enforcement (NOV, etc.) is necessary. 

It appears that the biggest issues Duke will need to address are in operating the landfill such that they keep that 
drainage internal to their leachate collection system. 

Bradley will be coordinating our communications between DEMLR and DWR and possibly touch base with DWM staff. 

We keep you updated as the situation progresses. 

Toby 

William E. Toby Vinson, Jr., PE, CPESC, CPM 
Chief of Program Operations 
3
Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources  
Department of Environmental Quality 

919‐707‐9220 
[e-mail] 

1612 Mail Service Center 
Raleigh, NC 27699 

E‐mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be 
disclosed to third parties. 

From: Khan, Zahid  
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2017 8:47 AM 
To: Davis, Tracy <[e-mail]> 
Cc: Vinson, Toby <[e-mail]>; Bennett, Bradley <[e-mail]>; Cole, Brad 
<[e-mail]> 
Subject: FW: Duke Energy‐Cliffside Steam Station: Inspection January 3, 2016 for potential release of coal ash (none 
observed) 

From: Keen, Holliday V  
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2017 8:37 AM 
To: Khan, Zahid <[e-mail]> 
Subject: Duke Energy‐Cliffside Steam Station: Inspection January 3, 2016 for potential release of coal ash (none 
observed) 

On January 3, 2016, our office received notification from Steve Hodges of a breached earthen berm at the top 
of the Basin Landfill Drainage Area 42 which released sediment and an undetermined amount of coal ash 
down the access road and into the sediment basin below. When the release was detected, the skimmer arm 
was pulled from the basin and plugged at about 9am on January 3. Steve Hodges reported that the baffle 
system of the basin functioned well to allow coal ash residue on the west side of the basin, demonstrated by a 
color gradient where gray stayed in the west side and near the skimmer remained a reddish clay color. 

Upon inspection, we noted the the outfall of the sediment basin and the ditch that leads to Suck Creek was 
free of coal ash residue. Per Steve Hodges, the vegetated ditch to Suck Creek is about an eighth of a mile 
long. We also observed that water was being pumped from the sediment basin to the leachate basin and vac 
trucks were being used to clean up all escaped coal ash. At the time of inspection, the earthen berm had not 
yet been repaired, but this repair was scheduled to be completed as soon as possible. James Moore and I 
recommended that the install additional measures to prevent future incidents. 

Holliday Keen 
Environmental Senior Specialist 
Land Quality Section 
4
704‐235‐2148 
[e-mail] 

1
Frost, Larry
From:Scott, Michael
Sent:Wednesday, January 04, 2017 4:11 PM
To:Lorscheider, Ellen; Mussler, Ed; Watkins, Jason; Frost, Larry
Subject:FW: Duke Energy-Cliffside Steam Station: Inspection January 3, 2016 for potential release of coal ash
(none observed)
FYI. 

Michael E. Scott
Director
Division of Waste Management
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality

919-707-8246 office
[e-mail]

217 West Jones Street
1646 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

From: Kritzer, Jamie  
Sent: Wednesday, January 4, 2017 4:07 PM 
To: Rusher, Mike J <[e-mail]>; Munger, Bridget <[e-mail]> 
Cc: Hawco, Stephanie G <[e-mail]>; Scott, Michael <[e-mail]> 
Subject: RE: Duke Energy‐Cliffside Steam Station: Inspection January 3, 2016 for potential release of coal ash (none 
observed) 

Mike, Bridget, 

During its investigation, the state Division of Waste Management has not seen visual evidence of a discharge of coal ash 
to surface waters at the Cliffside facility. In considering that evidence and Duke Energy’s quick response to the release, 
the division has decided not to issue a notice of violation at this time. Division staff will continue to investigate the 
release and will take any necessary steps if new information warrants that action be taken. 

Jamie 

From: Rusher, Mike J  
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2017 2:37 PM 
To: Munger, Bridget <[e-mail]> 
Cc: Kritzer, Jamie <[e-mail]> 
2
Subject: RE: Duke Energy‐Cliffside Steam Station: Inspection January 3, 2016 for potential release of coal ash (none 
observed) 

Bridget,  

Thanks for forwarding. Not sure of the status of a release today but will keep you looped in for input needed.   

Mike   

From: Munger, Bridget  
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2017 2:19 PM 
To: Rusher, Mike J <[e-mail]> 
Cc: Kritzer, Jamie <[e-mail]>; Munger, Bridget <[e-mail]> 
Subject: FW: Duke Energy‐Cliffside Steam Station: Inspection January 3, 2016 for potential release of coal ash (none 
observed) 

Mike,
Here is the latest from DEMLR on the berm failure at Cliffside. Regarding yesterday’s news release and some of the ARO
information referring to this as a stormwater discharge: Per the stormwater program manager, this was not a stormwater
discharge. It is wastewater that bypassed the leachate system, flowed out through the failed berm and drained down to a
sediment basin, which happens to be included in the stormwater permit. Bradley and Landon discussed this a little while
ago to clarify that point. Also, please be sure to send me the draft release before sending it out. DEMLR would like to
have some input since it relates directly to one of our programs.
Thanks,
Bridget

From: Vinson, Toby  
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2017 9:06 AM 
To: Reeder, Tom <[e-mail]>; Davis, Tracy <[e-mail]> 
Cc: Bennett, Bradley <[e-mail]>; Cole, Brad <[e-mail]>; Khan, Zahid 
<[e-mail]>; Moore, James <[e-mail]>; Keen, Holliday V <[e-mail]>; 
Davidson, Landon <[e-mail]>; Price, Zan (George) <[e-mail]>; Watkins, Jason 
<[e-mail]> 
Subject: FW: Duke Energy‐Cliffside Steam Station: Inspection January 3, 2016 for potential release of coal ash (none 
observed) 

Tom, 

Here are pictures and comments from our MRO staff.  According to their inspection yesterday, all material was captured 
in the Skimmer basin below the landfill and no visible offsite was observed beyond the skimmer or in Suck Creek.  It is 
my understanding that Duke took a stormwater sample from that basin and are analyzing the results.  Duke is supposed 
to provide a written report within five days to provide us with information on what occurred and what their response 
was and will be to address the issue.  The MRO will be sending inspections reports at this time of their current findings 
for their SW permit as well as Sediment and Construction SW.  Once we receive their report and sample results, we will 
be making a determination on if further enforcement (NOV, etc.) is necessary. 

It appears that the biggest issues Duke will need to address are in operating the landfill such that they keep that 
drainage internal to their leachate collection system. 

Bradley will be coordinating our communications between DEMLR and DWR and possibly touch base with DWM staff. 

We keep you updated as the situation progresses. 
3

Toby 

William E. Toby Vinson, Jr., PE, CPESC, CPM 
Chief of Program Operations 
Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources  
Department of Environmental Quality 

919‐707‐9220 
[e-mail] 

1612 Mail Service Center 
Raleigh, NC 27699 

E‐mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be 
disclosed to third parties. 

From: Khan, Zahid  
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2017 8:47 AM 
To: Davis, Tracy <[e-mail]> 
Cc: Vinson, Toby <[e-mail]>; Bennett, Bradley <[e-mail]>; Cole, Brad 
<[e-mail]> 
Subject: FW: Duke Energy‐Cliffside Steam Station: Inspection January 3, 2016 for potential release of coal ash (none 
observed) 

From: Keen, Holliday V  
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2017 8:37 AM 
To: Khan, Zahid <[e-mail]> 
Subject: Duke Energy‐Cliffside Steam Station: Inspection January 3, 2016 for potential release of coal ash (none 
observed) 

On January 3, 2016, our office received notification from Steve Hodges of a breached earthen berm at the top 
of the Basin Landfill Drainage Area 42 which released sediment and an undetermined amount of coal ash 
down the access road and into the sediment basin below. When the release was detected, the skimmer arm 
was pulled from the basin and plugged at about 9am on January 3. Steve Hodges reported that the baffle 
system of the basin functioned well to allow coal ash residue on the west side of the basin, demonstrated by a 
color gradient where gray stayed in the west side and near the skimmer remained a reddish clay color. 

Upon inspection, we noted the the outfall of the sediment basin and the ditch that leads to Suck Creek was 
free of coal ash residue. Per Steve Hodges, the vegetated ditch to Suck Creek is about an eighth of a mile 
long. We also observed that water was being pumped from the sediment basin to the leachate basin and vac 
trucks were being used to clean up all escaped coal ash. At the time of inspection, the earthen berm had not 
yet been repaired, but this repair was scheduled to be completed as soon as possible. James Moore and I 
recommended that the install additional measures to prevent future incidents. 
4

Holliday Keen 
Environmental Senior Specialist 
Land Quality Section 
704‐235‐2148 
[e-mail]