NC0005088_Duke Excavation plan for CSS_20151009

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Pat McCrory Donald R. van der Vaart
Governor Secretary
October 9, 2015
Mr. John Elnitsky
Senior Vice President
Ash Basin Strategy
Duke Energy
550 South Tryon Street
DEC 22C
Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
RE: Duke Energy's Coal Ash Excavation Plan for Cliffside Steam Station
Dear Mr. Elnitsky:
Thank you for your submission of the referenced Coal Ash Excavation Plan (Plan). The Plan
covers Duke Energy's approach for excavating a portion of the ash from the U1-4 basin and U5
basin, including associated permits that will be obtained and a projected time frame for
implementation of the Plan. Subsequent updates to this Plan and closure plans will address the
remaining ash excavation and other closure activities.
The Divisions of Water Resources, Waste Management, and Energy, Mineral, and Land
Resources have reviewed the Plan dated October 7, 2015 and find it acceptable, provided that
the necessary permits and approvals outlined in the Plan are secured from the appropriate
Division before initiation of the respective activities. Please note that some of the time frames
outlined in the Plan appear optimistic in light of the time required for the Department and EPA
to review permit applications, complete public notice and hearing processes, and comply with
other provisions of the Coal Ash Management Act.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. We look forward to receiving the required
permit applications for this facility in the near future and excavation plans for the remaining
facilities.
Sincerely,
XsSiReeder
tant Secretary for Environment
1601 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1601
Phone: [phone] \ Internet: www.ncdenr.gov
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