NC0000396_NOV2023LV0820_RESP_20231130

DUKE
�'
KeithDouthit
ENERGY»
Plant General Manager
Asheville Combined Cycle Station
PROGRESS
Delivered via email no hardcopy mailed
Duke Energy Progress
ASVL PLT 146 Duke Energy Lane
Arden, NC 28704
November 30, 2023
o: 828-650-0620
f: 828-650-0701
[e-mail]
Daniel J. Boss, Acting Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Subject: Response to NOTICE OF VIOLATION
Tracking Number: NOV-2023-LV-0820
Permit No. NC0000396
Asheville Steam Electric Power Plant
Buncombe County
Dear Mr. Boss:
Duke Energy Progress, LLC (Duke Energy) appreciates the opportunity to provides this response and
supporting information to the subject Notice of Violation (NOV). Duke Energy has completed coal ash
activities at the Asheville Steam Electric Plant and in final stages of safely closing the stations ash basin.
Additionally, the coal fired units at the site were retired in January 2020 with demolition completed in early
2023 and replaced by natural gas fired combined cycle generation units commissioned in 2020.
Ash removal from the former 1964 basin was completed in June 2022. As part of the final closure activity of
the 1964 ash basin, the Lined Retention Basin (LRB) had to be cleaned of residual CCR material prior to
decommissioning. The LRB was constructed as part of the water treatment system used to support ash
excavation to manage wastewater during ash removal. It was required during this final closure activity to
divert wastewater from the LRB to temporary storage units prior to treatment at the ash basin water treatment
system and discharge via outfall 001. During the process of transferring flows from the LRB to the temporary
storage units, there was a reduction in storage capacity, which resulted in system operational adjustment. The
daily TSS exceedance of 58 mg/L was during these adjustments. Upon receiving the lab result, and after the
system adjustments, multiple instruments were replaced and/or recalibrated to the new system volume.
Additionally, we are performing more frequent operational checks and in process monitoring to confirm
compliance. We are confident these improvements will prevent further TSS issues.
Should you have questions or need additional information regarding this notification, please contact Teresa
Williams, at [phone] or Don Safrit, at [phone].
Sincerely,
Keith Douthit
Asheville Plant Manager
cc: Lauren Armeni, Asheville Regional Office (via email)
Jessica Bednarcik
Mike Garner