Attach. 9, 2013-01-25 Culbert to Mitchell email

From: Culbert, Erin B <Erin.Culberta duke-energy.com>
Sent: Monday, January 28, 2013 7:35 AM
To: Zarzar, Issa <[e-mail]>; Mitchell, David F <David.Mitchell @r duke-
energy.com>; Herrin, Randy C <Randy.Herrin@duke -energy.com>; Stowe, Allen
<Allen.Stow@duke- energy. com>; Waugh, Dave <[e-mail]>
Cc: Hoffmann, Lisa M <Lis a. Hoffmann@ duke-energy. com>
Subject: RE: Ash basin FAQs
Thanks, Issa. Dave W., I'd like to hear your perspective this morning. Dave Mitchell and I have an interview with Bruce
Henderson this morning, so I'd like to collect our thoughts before 9:30 a.m.
Erin Culbert, APR
Corporate Communications
Duke Energy
704.382.5723 1 office
800.559.3853 1 24-hour media line
[e-mail]
From: Zarzar, Issa
Sent: Friday, January 25, 2013 6:54 PM
To: Culbert, Erin B; Mitchell, David F; Herrin, Randy C; Stowe, Allen; Waugh, Dave
Cc: Hoffmann, Lisa M
Subject: RE: Ash basin FAQs
My answers are in red. I would want Dave Waugh to comment on the ash pond closure strategy and what information
he feels comfortable releasing to the public.
From: Culbert, Erin B
Sent: Friday, January 25, 2013 12:43 PM
To: Mitchell, David F; Zarzar, Issa; Herrin, Randy C; Stowe, Allen
Cc: Hoffmann, Lisa M
Subject: Ash basin FAQs
All,
We have some media interviews coming up next week where we will be asked questions about decommissioning and
ash basin closure, particularly at Riverbend. Please review this to be sure what I have is correct and up-to-date. I need
any edits or concerns by 9 a.m. Monday.
What will happen to the units once they retire?
Once the units retire, attention and planning turns to its decommissioning. This is a comprehensive and
methodical process that takes several years and involves engineering analyses to determine the best site-
specific decisions. The long-term vision for retired units across our system is to return them to ground -level.
We will salvage what equipment we can repurpose at other sites, conduct any environmental abatement
needed, sell any scrap material we can, safely dismantle and remove the powerhouse, stack and any auxiliary
structures no longer needed and then restore the site. This approach is best suited to ensure continued safety,
security and environmental compliance at the site into the future, both for the company and the community.
Issa—would you expect demolition at these sites to begin about two to three years after retirement?
The simple answer is yes. Whoever, it depends on other factors such as Transmission (PD) switch
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yard relay controls relocation from the plant control room to a remote new control room. This activity
could delay the process since it involves system outages.
What will happen to the ash basins once the plant retires?
We plan to close the ash basins (three at Buck, two at Riverbend) once they are no longer needed, in close
coordination with state regulators. This will be conducted through deliberate engineering and will comply with
all state and federal regulations. Our current strategy across the fleet involves a closure -in-place approach,
with dewatering, capping with a synthetic membrane, 18 inches of soil and a vegetated cover. This will prevent
rainwater from percolating and protect groundwater. This allows high environmental protection and is much
less expensive for customers than removing the ash and transporting it elsewhere. That approach is not
warranted and requires other considerations (truck traffic, landfill space, etc.)
[Do we have dollar estimates that we can release to the public for an average closure -in-place vs. clean
closure to illustrate the cost difference? Let's not use the term "clean closure" externally. It implies that other
methods are not.]
The Riverbend basin closure plan is being developed and has not been submitted to the state, but we would
expect it would follow the same strategy we're using across the fleet unless we learn new information during
our site characterization studies. The NPDES permit requires that plan be submitted to the state one year prior
to the closure of the impoundments.
Even once the ash basins are closed, Duke Energy is required to continue monitoring groundwater there for
many years and will continue to manage and steward the site.
Thanks,
Erin
Erin Culbert, APR
Corporate Communications
Duke Energy
704.382.5723 office
800.559.3853 24-hour media line
[e-mail]
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