2016 DEP Annual Surface Water Report

Richard E. Baker, Jr. P.E.
Director
EHS CCP Environmental Programs
526 S. Church Street
Mail Code: EC13K
Charlotte, NC 28202
[phone]

January 23, 2017

Mr. Jeff Poupart
Water Quality Permitting Section Chief
North Carolina Division of Water Resources
1617 Mail Services Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617

Subject: Submittal of 2016 Surface Water Protection
and Restoration Annual Report
Duke Energy Progress, LLC.

Dear Mr. Poupart,

In accordance with North Carolina General Statute 130A-309.212(e), Duke Energy is required to
“…submit an Annual Surface Water Protection Report to the department no later than January
31 of each year.” Duke Energy is pleased to submit the attached 2016 Surface Water
Protection and Restoration Annual Reports for Duke Energy Progress, LLC. The attached
report provides information for the following facilities:

Duke Energy Progress, LLC
Asheville Steam Plant, Cape Fear Steam Plant, H.F. Lee Energy Complex, Mayo Steam Plant,
Roxboro Steam Plant, Weatherspoon Steam Plant and L.V. Sutton Energy Complex.

If you have any questions regarding these materials, please contact Mr. Shannon Langley at
[phone] or [e-mail].

Sincerely,

Richard E. Baker, Jr, P.E.
Director, EHS CCP Environmental Programs

Attachment

Cc:
Jim Wells, VP, Duke Energy CCP w/attachments
E. Shannon Langley – via email w/attachments

Duke Energy Progress, LLC
2016 North Carolina Surface
Water Protection and
Restoration Annual Report as
required by N.C.G.S. § 130A-
309.212(e)

January 2017

Duke Energy Progress, LLC. | 2016 North Carolina Surface Water Protection and Restoration Annual Report
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CONTENTS

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Contents
Page
Contents ...................................................................................................................................... i
Section 1 - Introduction .............................................................................................................. 2
Section 2 - Site Background ....................................................................................................... 3
2.1 Asheville Steam Electric Plant.............................................................................. 3
2.2 Cape Fear Steam Electric Plant ........................................................................... 3
2.3 H.F. Lee Energy Complex .................................................................................... 4
2.4 Mayo Steam Electric Plant ................................................................................... 5
2.5 Roxboro Steam Electric Plant .............................................................................. 5
2.6 L.V. Sutton Energy Complex ................................................................................ 6
2.7 Weatherspoon Plant ............................................................................................ 6
Section 3 – Surface Water Sampling Summary.......................................................................... 8
Section 4 – Surface Water Protection and Restoration Summary .............................................. 9
Section 5 – Discharge Identification Status ...............................................................................10
Section 6 – Discharge Assessment Status ................................................................................11

Table 3-1. Duke Energy Coal-Fired Steam Stations 2016 Surface Water Quality Sampling

Duke Energy Progress, LLC. | 2016 North Carolina Surface Water Protection and Restoration Annual Report
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SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION

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Section 1 - Introduction
The purpose of this document is to address the requirements of North Carolina General
Statutes (N.C.G.S.) § 130A-309.212(e), Reporting, as established by North Carolina Senate Bill
729, the Coal Ash Management Act of 2014 (CAMA), for multiple ash basin sites operated
under National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits as referenced herein.
The following requirements are contained in N.C.G.S § 130A-309.212:
(e) Reporting. – In addition to any other reporting required by the Department,
the owner of a coal combustion residuals surface impoundment shall submit an
annual Surface Water Protection and Restoration Report to the Department no
later than January 31 of each year. The Report shall include a summary of all
surface water sampling, protection, and restoration activities related to the
impoundment for the preceding year, including the status of the identification,
assessment, and correction of unpermitted discharges from coal combustion
residuals surface impoundments to the surface waters of the State.
CAMA establishes the submittal date of this report as no later than January 31, 2017. This
report satisf ies the requirements of N.C.G.S. § 130A-309.212(e) for activities occurring in 2016
at multiple facilities with ash basin treatment units.
Duke Energy Progress, LLC. | 2016 North Carolina Surface Water Protection and Restoration Annual Report
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SECTION 2 - SITE DESCRIPTIONS

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Section 2 - Site Descriptions
2.1 Asheville Steam Electric Plant
The Asheville Steam Electric Plant (Asheville Plant) is located near Asheville, in Buncombe
County, North Carolina. The Asheville Plant began commercial operation in the 1960s, with
additions in the 1990s and around 2000, and consists of two coal-fired units that primarily use
bituminous coal. In addition to the coal-fired units, the Asheville Plant has two combustion
turbines. Coal combustion residuals (CCR) have been managed in the Asheville Plant’s on-site
ash basins and used as beneficial fill at the nearby Asheville Regional Airport (Asheville Airport).
Lake Julian was built for cooling water purposes by damming the flow of Powell Creek on the
north side of the Asheville Plant. A large portion of Lake Julian borders the east side of the
Asheville Plant site. Surface water from the French Broad River is also pumped into Lake Julian
as a supplemental water supply. The water from the French Broad River enters a stilling area of
the lake on the north side of the Asheville Plant. Heated water is discharged back into Lake
Julian to the east of the Asheville Plant. The French Broad River borders the west side of the
property and flows south to north. Powell Creek also flows south to north prior to formation of
Lake Julian. Powell Creek flows east to west from the Lake Julian Dam to the French Broad
River.
The Asheville Plant and ash basins are located on the east side of I-26 and the French Broad
River where the ash management system consists of a series of basins. The original 1964 ash
basin, built during Asheville Plant construction and expanded in the 1970s, is now overlain with
wastewater treatment wetlands. The treatment wetlands basins are lined. The 1964 ash basin
was replaced in approximately 1982 with a second ash basin, built to the south of the 1964
basin. The 1982 ash basin has now been dewatered, excavated, and all ash from the 1982
basin has been moved off site. New ash, generated daily, is dewatered in concrete-lined basins
located on a portion of the 1964 ash basin.
The ash basin system is part of the Asheville Plant’s wastewater treatment system; receiving
inflows from ash transport water, coal pile runoff, storm water runoff, and various low volume
wastes. The treated wastewater is permitted to discharge to the French Broad River permitted
Outfall 001. A 500-foot compliance boundary circles the ash management area.
2.2 Cape Fear Steam Electric Plant
The Cape Fear Steam Electric Plant (Cape Fear Plant) is located on approximately 900 acres in
central North Carolina near Moncure, in Chatham County. The site is along the east bank of the
Cape Fear River, southeast of Moncure and west of Corinth Road. Cape Fear Plant operations
began in 1923 with additional units added from 1924 to 1969. In the most recent configuration,
the Cape Fear Plant employed two coal-fired units along with four oil-fueled combustion turbine
units. Residuals generated from coal combustion were treated and stored on-site in ash basins.
Operations were terminated at the Cape Fear Plant in October 2012 and demolition activities
are currently underway.
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Five ash basins have historically been used at the Cape Fear Plant and are referenced using
the date of construction: 1956, 1963, 1970, 1978, and 1985. The 1956 ash basin is located
north of the former Cape Fear Plant, and the remaining ash basins are located south of the
Cape Fear Plant area. The 1963 and 1970 ash basins were constructed on the west side of the
Cape Fear Plant property, adjacent to the Cape Fear River. The 1978 ash basin was
constructed east of and abutting the 1963 and 1970 ash basins. The 1985 ash basin was
constructed east of the existing ash basins between the discharge canal and Corinth Road. The
ash basins are impounded by earthen dams. A 500-foot compliance boundary encircles the ash
basins.
Currently, the 1956, 1963, and 1970 ash basins are dry and entirely covered with vegetation
(hardwood and pine trees). A small area near the southern end of the 1970 ash basin is
seasonally wet. The 1978 ash basin is partially vegetation-covered (trees and scrub), and a
portion of the southern end of the ash basin retains water. The 1985 ash basin has some grass
cover and ponded water in its southwest corner.
All wastewater, formerly generated by the site, historically discharged to the effluent channel
prior to the combined outfall. The combined outfall now contains all waste stream flows and is
located in the effluent channel. Downstream of the effluent channel, the man-made canal
becomes an unnamed tributary of the Cape Fear River.
2.3 H.F. Lee Energy Complex
The H.F. Lee Energy Complex (Lee Plant) was a coal-fired electricity generating facility located
west of Goldsboro in Wayne County, North Carolina. The Lee Plant began commercial
operation in 1951. Additional coal units were added in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and four
oil-fueled combustion turbine units were added in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The three
coal-fired units were retired in September 2012 followed by the four oil-fueled combustion
turbine units in October 2012. In December 2012, the H.F. Lee Combined Cycle Plant was
brought on-line. The combined cycle plant applies two sources of energy, combustion and
steam turbines, to convert natural gas to electricity.
The property encompasses approximately 2,100 acres, including the ash basins, a cooling pond
(located to the east of the Lee Plant operations area), and the Neuse River.
Ash generated from coal combustion was conveyed to the ash basins, which include the
inactive and active basins. Combined, the active and inactive ash basins encompass
approximately 314 acres (171 acres for the inactive ash basins and 143 acres for the active ash
basin). The inactive ash basins were built as three cells in approximately the late 1950s and
early 1960s. The active ash basin was constructed in the late 1970s. Sluicing fly ash and bottom
ash at the active basin was discontinued in late 2012 to early 2013 as the Lee Plant ended
production of coal combustion residuals. The active basin discharges treated wastewater to the
Neuse River through an NPDES permitted outfall.
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SECTION 2 - SITE DESCRIPTIONS

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2.4 Mayo Steam Electric Plant
The Mayo Steam Electric Plant (Mayo Plant) is a single-unit, coal-fired electric generating facility
located in Person County, North Carolina, near the city of Roxboro. The Mayo Plant became
fully operational in June 1983.
The Mayo Plant is located on Boston Road (US Highway 501) north of Roxboro. The northern
property line extends to the North Carolina/Virginia state line. The overall topography of the
Mayo Plant generally slopes toward the east (Mayo Reservoir) and northeast.
The Mayo Plant ash basin is approximately 153 acres in size with an earthen dike. Ash
generated from the Mayo Plant’s coal combustion is contained in the ash basin. The ash basin
was constructed and began receiving ash in 1983. The ash basin is located north of the Mayo
Plant operational area and west of Mayo Lake. A former permitted landfill is located on the east
side of the ash basin.
The Mayo Plant NPDES permit (NC0038377) authorizes two discharges to Mayo Lake. Outfall
001 discharges cooling tower water and circulating water system discharge water. Outfall 002 is
comprised of a number of streams, including internal Outfall 008 (cooling tower blowdown),
internal Outfall 009 (FGD blowdown), ash transport water, coal pile runoff, and other sources,
including water from wastewater treatment processes. Stormwater outfalls are also authorized
for the Mayo Plant.
2.5 Roxboro Steam Electric Plant
The Roxboro Steam Electric Plant (Roxboro Plant) is located in northcentral North Carolina near
Semora. A large part of the Roxboro Plant property encompasses Hyco Reservoir. The Roxboro
Plant is located in Person County along the east bank of Hyco Reservoir north of Roxboro,
North Carolina, and west of McGhees Mill Road.
The Roxboro Plant began operations in 1966. Additional units were added in 1968, 1973, and
1980. Throughout its operational history, the Roxboro Plant has used coal-fired units to produce
steam. Ash generated from coal combustion is stored on-site in ash basins.
Ash generated from coal combustion has been stored in on-site ash basins and a lined landfill.
Ash has been sluiced to the ash basins or conveyed in its dry form to the lined landfill. Two ash
basin areas have been used at the Roxboro Plant and are referenced using the date of
construction and relative location: the 1966 semi-active East Ash Basin and the 1973 active
West Ash Basin. The East Ash Basin is located southeast of the Roxboro Plant, and the West
Ash Basin is located south of the Roxboro Plant. An unlined landfill was constructed on the East
Ash Basin in the late 1980s. A lined landfill was subsequently constructed over the unlined
landfill around 2004. The ash basins are impounded by earthen dams.
Currently, the East Ash Basin and lined landfill are largely covered with vegetation (grasses and
shrubs) where the landfill is not active. The West Ash Basin has some grass cover and ponded
water, mostly along the southern and eastern edges of the basin. Wet ash and runoff from the
East Ash Basin landfill is directed to the West Ash Basin for settling. The West Ash Basin
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encompasses approximately 200 acres and discharges to an internal outfall and then by a
permitted outfall into Hyco Reservoir.
2.6 L.V. Sutton Energy Complex
The L.V. Sutton Energy Complex (Sutton Plant) is a former coal-fired electric generating facility
located in New Hanover County, North Carolina, near the city of Wilmington. The Sutton Plant
started operations in 1954. As of November 2013, all of the coal-fired units were retired when a
new, natural gas-fired combined-cycle unit began operation. The facility is located north of
Wilmington on the west side of Highway 421. The topography around the property is relatively
gentle, generally sloping downward toward the Cape Fear River. The Sutton Plant utilizes an
approximately 1,100-acre cooling pond located adjacent to the Cape Fear River. The ash
management area is located adjacent to the cooling pond, north of the Sutton Plant.
The Sutton Plant, cooling pond, and ash management area are located on the east side of the
Cape Fear River. The ash management area is located adjacent to the cooling pond, north of
the Sutton Plant. The ash management area consists of:
• A former ash disposal area located south of the ash basins, on the south side of
the canal;
• An ash basin built in approximately 1971 (old ash basin); and
• A clay-lined ash basin built in approximately 1984 (new ash basin) and located toward
the northern portion of the ash management area.
The ash basins are impounded by an earthen dike. The ash basin system was an integral part
of the Sutton Plant’s wastewater treatment system, which received inflows from the ash removal
system, Sutton Plant yard drain sump, and stormwater flows. During coal-fired electric
generation, inflows to the ash basins were highly variable due to the cyclical nature of
operations. The Sutton Plant NPDES permit authorizes the discharge of cooling pond
blowdown, recirculation cooling water, non-contact cooling water, and treated wastewater from
internal Outfalls 002, 003, 004 via Outfall 001 from the cooling pond to the Cape Fear River.
The 500-foot compliance boundary circles the ash basins and former ash disposal area.
2.7 Weatherspoon Plant
The Weatherspoon Plant is a former coal-fired electric generating facility located in Robeson
County, North Carolina, near the city of Lumberton. The Weatherspoon Plant started operations
in 1949. Two additional units were added in the 1950s. Four oil- and natural gas-fueled
combustion turbines were added in the 1970s. As of October 2011, all of the coal-fired units
were retired. The four oil- and natural gas-fueled units continue to operate to meet peak
demand. The facility is located southeast of Lumberton on the east side of North Carolina
Highway 72. The topography around the property generally slopes downward toward the
Lumber River.
The Weatherspoon Plant utilizes an approximately 225-acre cooling pond located adjacent to
the Lumber River. The ash basin is located north of the cooling pond, northeast of the
Weatherspoon Plant. The Weatherspoon Plant NPDES permit (NC005363) authorizes the
discharge of recirculated cooling water, ash sluice water, domestic wastewater, chemical metal
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SECTION 2 - SITE DESCRIPTIONS

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cleaning water, and low volume wastewater, including reject water from a reverse osmosis
water treatment unit from the cooling pond via Outfall 001 to the Lumber River under severe
weather conditions and cooling pond maintenance.
The Weatherspoon Plant, cooling pond, and ash basin are located on the east side of the
Lumber River. The ash basin is located north of the cooling pond, northeast of the
Weatherspoon Plant. The ash basin consists of approximately 65 acres. The 500-foot
compliance boundary circles the ash basin.
The ash basin is impounded by an earthen dike. Ash generated from coal combustion was
stored on-site in the ash basin. Overflow from the ash basin drains to the northeast corner of the
cooling pond.

Duke Energy Progress, LLC. | 2016 North Carolina Surface Water Protection and Restoration Annual Report
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SECTION 3 – SURFACE WATER SAMPLING SUMMARY

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Section 3 – Surface Water Sampling Summary
The NPDES program regulates wastewater discharges from ash basins to surface waters to
assure that surface water quality standards are maintained. Surface water discharges are
identified and evaluated to locate potential outfalls for inclusion in the permit. The NPDES
permitting program requires that permits be renewed at least every five years.
Routine surface water monitoring was performed in 2016 in accordance with each site’s NPDES
permit conditions and CAMA. Table 3-1 below summarizes the 2016 routine surface water
quality sampling conducted at the seven Duke Energy Progress, LLC coal-fired steam stations
described in Section 2.

Table 3-1. Duke Energy Coal-Fired Steam Stations 2016 Surface Water Quality Sampling
Station Water Quality1 Water Chemistry Trace Elements
Asheville Steam Electric Plant2 X X Fish tissues
Cape Fear Steam Electric Plant X X Fish tissues
H. F. Lee Energy Complex X X Fish tissues
Mayo Steam Electric Plant2 X X Fish tissues, sediment s
Roxboro Steam Electric Plant2 X X Fish tissues, sediments
Sutton Steam Electric Plant2 X X Fish tissues, sediment s
Weatherspoon Steam Electric
Plant2 X X Fish tissues
1Temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, secchi disk transparency depth (at lake stations only)
2 Total alkalinity, total dissolved solids, and turbidity. Ions included chloride, sulfate, calcium, magnesium, and sodium. Trace
elements (total) included arsenic, boron (Asheville and Mayo), copper, lead (Asheville), mercury (Asheville and Mayo), and
selenium. Nutrients included total phosphorus, total nitrogen, nitrate-nitrite, ammonia, and total organic carbon.

Duke Energy Progress, LLC. | 2016 North Carolina Surface Water Protection and Restoration Annual Report
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SECTION 4 – SURFACE WATER PROTECTION AND RESTORATION SUMMARY

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Section 4 – Surface Water Protection and
Restoration Summary
In 2016, Duke Energy identified and submitted a number of documents and undertook a number
of actions to comply with the CAMA requirements. Documents submitted and additional
activities of note undertaken in 2016 are listed below:
• Submitted updated applications to pending NPDES applications for Roxboro Plant, Mayo
Plant, H.F. Lee Energy Comples, L.V. Sutton Energy Complex, Asheville Plant and Cape
Fear Plant.
• Submitted numerous responses to requests for additional information relate to NPDES
permit applications.
• Obtained DRAFT NPDES wastewater permits Roxboro Plant, Mayo Plant, Cape Fear
Plant, H.F. Lee Energy Complex and Weatherspoon Plant.
• Obtained final NPDES stormwater permits for Cape Fear Plant and Asheville Plant.
• Obtained DRAFT NPDES stormwater permits for Weatherspoon Plant, Roxboro Plant
and Mayo Plant.
• Announced Beneficiation of ash project at H.F. Lee Energy Complex.
• Conducted weekly and annual dam inspections.
• Undertook action to sample and provide water quality analysis of drinking water supply
wells.
• Continued transport of coal ash from basins at L.V. Sutton Energy Complex and
Asheville Plant.
• Identified additional potential areas of wetness in proximity to ash basins and provided
information on these areas to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
(DEQ).
• In accordance with authorization received from DEQ, undertook decanting activities at
L.V. Sutton Energy Complex.
• Installed seep collection systems at H.F. Lee Energy Complex and Mayo Plant.
Upcoming commitments related to the CAMA include:
• End stormwater discharge to impoundments at retired plants consistent with the
requirements of N.C.G.S. § 130A-309.210(c).
• Close impoundments at Asheville Plant and L.V. Sutton Energy Complex.
• End stormwater and wastewater discharge to impoundments at active plants consistent
with the requirements of N.C.G.S. § 130A-309.210(c).
• Develop and install new ash handling methods as ash basins are closed.
• Close basins as required by CAMA and in accordance with performance standards set
out in the federal coal combustion residuals rule to the extent of its applicability to a
particular station.

Duke Energy Progress, LLC. | 2016 North Carolina Surface Water Protection and Restoration Annual Report
Duke Energy Progress Facilities
SECTION 5 – DISCHARGE IDENTIFICATION STATUS

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Section 5 – Discharge Identification Status
The Discharge Identification Plans submitted in September 2014 for all seven (7) DEP
sites addressed the requirements of N.C.G.S § 130A-309.212(d), Identification and
assessment of discharges; correction of unpermitted discharges. Inspection procedures
developed to satisfy the requirements of N.C.G.S. § 130A-309.212(d) were presented in
these plans and used as the basis for developing the topographic map required by
N.C.G.S. § 130A-309.212(a)(2). These documents were submitted to DEQ on
September 30, 2014 for all seven (7) DEP plants described in Section 2. In 2016, Duke
Energy implemented the procedures outlined in the previously submitted Discharge
Identification Plans and worked with DEQ to address requested revisions based on
comments from EPA.
Duke Energy Progress, LLC. | 2015 North Carolina Surface Water Protection and Restoration Annual Report
Duke Energy Progress Facilities
SECTION 6 – DISCHARGE ASSESSMENT STATUS

Section 6 – Discharge Assessment Status
Duke Energy submitted the required Topographic Map and Discharge Assessment
Plans to DEQ on December 30, 2014. The plan addressed the requirements of
N.C.G.S. § 130A-309.212(a)(2), topographic map, and (b), Assessment of Discharges
from Coal Combustion Residuals Surface Impoundments to the Surface Waters of the
State. The elements required in N.C.G.S. § 130A-309.212(a) were incorporated into the
plan. These documents were submitted to DEQ on December 30, 2014 for all seven (7)
DEP stations described in Section 2. During 2016, Duke Energy provided sampling data
to DEQ of potential discharges from coal combustion residual surface impoundments.
Duke Energy participated in numerous meetings and site visits with DEQ staff in
evaluating such potential discharges.