Meeting Notes - Lee 3-10-16_

MEMORANDUM
TO: File
FROM: David May — Div. of Water Resources — Washington Regional Office
Water Quality Regional Operations Section Supervisor
SUBJECT: Public Meeting for H.F. Lee Energy Complex — March 10, 2016
Coal Combustion Residual Impoundment Risk Classifications
Meeting Notes
Goldsboro, Wayne County, NC
DATE: March 16, 2016
INTRODUCTION
Prior public notice was provided announcing the Public Meeting for Coal Combustion Residual
Impoundment Risk Classifications for the H.F. Lee Energy Complex / Steam Station in Goldsboro, NC.
The public notice provided information on the public hearing, with the intent to solicit additional
comment on risk classification matters.
The subject public meeting was held Thursday March 10, 2016 at the Wayne County Community College
in Goldsboro, NC. The meeting began at 6:00 pm and concluded at approximately 8:00 pm. Oral and
written comments provided during the meeting became part of the public record. David May with the
Division of Water Resources' Washington Regional Office served as the Public Meeting Officer.
Approximately 93 people attended the meeting. No elected officials were present. Media coverage was
provided by several different media outlets, including local television networks and newspapers. David
May, as meeting officer, summarized the purpose and structure of the meeting. Steve Lanter, with the
Division of Water Resources, provided an overview of the risk classification process.
25 people spoke at the meeting, with several providing written comments. The summary below
captures individual comments and highlights major issues raised during the meeting.
SITE VISIT
In advance of the public meeting, a site visit was conducted Friday March 4, 2016 at the H.F. Lee Energy
Complex. Duke Energy staff and Division of Water Resources staff, including the meeting officer,
attended the site visit. Ash basin structures, outfalls, monitoring wells, seeps, and general
conditions were recognized during the facility overview.
PUBLIC RECORD
The Division held the public meeting in Goldsboro, NC on March 10, 2016. Approximately 93 people
attended the public meeting and 25 attendees provided oral comments. Attendance sheets were signed
by attendees. Attendees and speakers included representatives from environmental interest groups,

attorneys, local and concerned citizens, and Duke Energy staff. Notes taken from speakers are
summarized below:
Speaker 1: Johnie Gurley
Lives at 1350 Old Smithfield Rd., Goldsboro.
Environmental issues related to coal ash were not publicized and brought to the public's
attention until after the Dan River spill.
State issued letters to residents adjacent to power plants advising not to drink the water, later
retracting the advisories and indicating consumption of water was safe. Such change in position
must be attributable to political interests and influence.
High rate of cancer present in the local neighborhood around the H.F. Lee plant.
His well water is contaminated, which he has proof of, and his well hasn't been listed as
contaminated.
Speaker 2: Sarah Mullens
Mother of Edith Fail.
Has questions over well testing and results.
Doesn't understand the lab results and Health Risk Evaluations; water deemed unsafe and then
safe.
Bottled water that is being provided to residents is creating excessive solid waste from the
plastic containers being generated.
Prior flooding experienced during hurricanes likely spread contamination around the area.
Speaker 3: Bobby Jones
Concerned over cancer rates in the area; lost friends and family before their time due to health
issues attributed to the H.F. Lee plant.
Toxins in the coal ash are leaching to the groundwater and Neuse River and can cause cancer.
Coal ash in the air (suspended particulate emissions) has covered cars in the past.
Fish from the Neuse River are unsafe to consume.
Requests source of contamination be eliminated
Seepage is affecting citizens. Weigh position of stakeholders and Duke. Work to build public
trust (with response to issues) and not to please interests of Duke Energy.
Speaker 4: Wesley Garner
Lives at 101 J.J. Lane and has other properties in the area on Old Smithfield Rd.
Not all wells have been tested in the area.
Wife has experienced numerous medical and health related issues (tumors, diabetes, breast
cancer, and takes lots of medication.
Mr. Garner has arthritis, hypertension, other medical/health complications, and experienced
stroke.
Health issues for both Mr. and Mrs. Garner began when they moved to the area in 1989.
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Speaker 5: Janet Smith
Not a resident of Wayne County.
Questions why different basins are referred to as active and inactive (since the coal fed steam
plant has been shut down).
The risk classification process is confusing; suggests risk classification should be high.
Speaker 6: Millie Chalk (Duke Energy)
Duke is actively working to address problems and concerns at coal ash sites, including safely
closing all basins.
Groundwater is flowing away from residential wells at the H.F. Lee facility.
All 5 basins are to be excavated at H.F. Lee.
Speaker 7: Nick Wood
Attorney from Durham representing Down East Coal Coalition.
High rate of health issues in the community around the Lee plant is not a coincidence; there's a
cause (causation), which is the H.F. Lee plant.
Two years (after the Dan River spill) was a long time to wait for a public meeting
The coal ash process is being driven by political interests.
Feedback to the general public from toxicologists and scientists would be appreciated.
Speaker 8: Paul Taylor
"Environmental issues" should be addressed now, not years down the road (2050).
Speaker 9: Hope Hart
Many people, including children, in and around the Rosewood area are sick with health issues.
Air and odor issues are present in and around the Rosewood area.
Deadlines and timeline for the clean-up process is insulting (too slow).
Capping the basins in place is not acceptable (the problem is from the bottom of the basins).
Flooding events in the past have spread coal combustion residuals and contamination across
Wayne County, increasing the rate of cancer for all.
Naema Muhamed (registered to speak, but declined to do so, recommending her time be applied
towards other speakers' time allowance.)
Speaker 10: Michael Carroway
Residents in the area are having to purchase their own water and go to laundromats to wash
clothes.
Give a portion of fees/fines assessed against Duke to impacted citizens; use collected money for
tests and wellbeing of citizens (community goodwill).
Speaker 11: Jennifer Worrell
Facts and science should be used in the coal ash/ranking process.
Only a limited number of wells along Old Smithfield Rd have been tested.

Laboratories performing analytical tests on well water were not properly certified for heavy
metals.
The site is within the 100 year flood plain. Flooding has disrupted normal environmental
processes and complicated coal ash impacts in the area.
The Fork Township public water system serves a large customer base. Fork Township customers
have not been notified of well water test results and/or findings.
Referenced letters from Land Quality about dam hazard classifications, indicating a high hazard
was present.
Asked why only certain wells were tested.
Speaker 12: Deborah Hooker
Risk Classification ratings were revised prior to release; almost all basins should be ranked high.
The meetings are being used as a delay tactic (to officially rank sites).
Goldsboro is comparable to Flint, Michigan; clean-up should be mandated.
Expenses incurred by Duke Energy to address environmental issues shouldn't be passed on to
customers.
The level of response to environmental issues has been low and is attributed to demographics of
surrounding communities (Environmental Justice).
Speaker 13: Matthew Star (Upper Neuse River Keeper)
Issuance of recent NOVs (within last few weeks) has been politically motivated.
Coal ash should be excavated (DEQ is against excavation).
Speaker 14: Heidi Sumpter
Recently moved to area, 15Y time home buyer, at 101 Ashworth Dr., Goldsboro.
Has a young son, after giving son bath, he developed welts/skin irritations. Son's health/skin
issues cleared up when they stopped bathing him in household water (changed water source for
baths).
Did not know about toxins being present in the area prior to moving to Goldsboro.
Speaker IS: Jerome Fail
Grew up in area.
Personally observed pipes used to transfer coal ash sluice/slurry leaking in the past. Some leaks
allowed the coal ash to run directly into surface waters/creeks ("Half Mile Branch?").
Coal ash has not been properly contained and has been spread across a broad area.
Speaker 16: Pat Sullivan
Timeline for clean-up should be expedited; the sooner clean-up occurs, the better for all.
Speaker 17: Aaron Bragg
Purchased current house (at 232 Ferry Bridge Rd) in 2008.
Began experiencing health issues after moving into house (thyroid, arthritis) and is taking
several medications.
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Coal ash from H.F. Lee has been used as fill material at numerous locations all over the
Rosewood community; Bragg's personal driveway is made of ash.
Drove four wheelers around in the old (inactive) ash basin.
Seepage coming from the ash basin is orange and yellow.
Are trees going to be cut down to CAP the basins?
Speaker 18: Tamisha Thomas
Thomas works with a program that has funds available to assist with different needs and wishes
to be of assistance to the community. People may contact her for assistance.
Speaker 19: Faith Bowen (not registered to speak)
Current college biology student who grew up in the Quaker Neck community around the H.F.
Lee plant.
Has experienced health/neurological issues.
Groundwater is contaminated in the area (Mercury and Iron in GW).
Poultry and agriculture are prevalent in the local area. Poultry and agricultural crops utilize
groundwater sources to meet water demands. Crops and poultry are being distributed across a
large area; impacts from H.F. Lee are also being spread outside of local community through the
distribution of poultry and agricultural food chain crops.
Speaker 20: John Hogan (not registered to speak)
Goldsboro resident.
We (DEQ?) are public servants.; government agencies had knowledge of pollution around coal
ash sites and allowed it to continue.
Speaker 20: Emory Laughlin (not registered to speak)
Lives in the Rosewood/Quaker Neck community.
Local area has a high rate of cancer; neighbors have died from cancer.
Emory has rashes from the water and diabetes.
Health issues in the area are attributed to issues with the water.
He was not contacted about having his well tested; His personal well was not tested; requests
well be tested.
Speaker 21: Hope Wolski (not registered to speak)
What is the status of the Fork Township public water supply well?
Do we understand the effects on coal ash matters at H.F. Lee from prior flooding incidents? How
far did coal ash travel during floods? Did flooding affect groundwater system?
Speaker 22: (Thadeus?) Washington (not registered to speak)
Corporations aren't people; do the right thing.
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Speaker 23: Alton (?) (not registered to speak)
Hopes meeting/coal ash process isn't just a formality/exercise; process should develop public
trust.
Real solutions and change are needed; not the status quo.
Need to take action and develop public trust.
Presence of illnesses in the area needs to be addressed.
take action for a real change; do the right thing.
Speaker 24: Rachel (Capps/Katz?) (not registered to speak)
Has lived on Old Smithfield Rd for 40 years.
Has woken up in the morning to find area covered with coal ash.
Speaker 25: Dennis Turner
Lives at 119 Pate Circle.
Mail carrier for Rosewood area.
Daughter developed cancer at 11 years old; wonders about consequences of exposure.
Toxic atmosphere present in area.
Comment Summary
Most comments were not directly related to the coal combustion residual impoundment risk
classification process, but were instead centered around health issues attributed to the H.F. Lee plant or
the need to develop public trust in the coal ash process.
The following water quality based items were noted by speakers:
Test results for the Fork Township municipal well have not been publicized. Fork Township
water system customers have not been notified whether the municipal water supply has been
impacted by coal ash and is safe to drink.
Recent notifications issued by the state to well owners stating that their water is safe to drink
(after originally being notified the water was unsafe) has created a sense of lack of trust in the
state (speakers asked how can water be unsafe to drink one day and safe to drink the next with
no additional testing).
Not all wells in the area have been tested. Speakers suggested additional wells should be tested
to confirm whether the water is safe to drink, with one speaker requesting his well be sampled.
The following risk classification based comments were provided by speakers:
Contamination source should be eliminated.
Seepage is occurring from the coal basins.
The risk classification process is confusing and coal ash basins at H.F. Lee should be classified as
High.
Capping basins in place isn't considered acceptable.
Coal ash should be excavated.
Timeline for clean-up should be expedited.
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