2015 02 02 NCDENR response to Duke - Four Initial Excavation Plans

NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Pat McCrory
Governor
February 2, 2015
Mr. John Elnitsky
Senior Vice President
Ash Basin Strategy
Duke Energy
550 South Tryon Street
DEC 22C
Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
Donald R. van der Vaart
Secretary
RE: Duke Energy's Coal Ash Excavation Plans for Riverbend Steam Station, Dan River Steam Station,
L.V. Sutton Electric Plant, and Asheville Steam Electric Generating Plant
Dear Mr. Elnitsky:
Thank you for your submission of the four referenced Coal Ash Excavation Plans per the Department's
letter dated August 13, 2014. The plans cover Duke Energy's first 12 —18 months (Phase 1) of ash basin
excavation activities at these facilities, including associated permits that will be obtained and a
projected time frame.
The Divisions of Water Resources, Waste Management, and Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources have
reviewed these plans that describe the steps necessary to begin excavation of ash. As noted in the
excavation plans, many of the activities described in the excavation plans will require permits and
authorizations from local, state, and federal authorities. The quality of these permit applications and
plans is critical to an efficient DENR review process that will ensure expeditious excavation of ash in an
environmentally safe manner. Therefore, I would encourage your staff to communicate with the
appropriate DENR division staff throughout the application preparation and review process.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mr. Tom Reeder, Assistant Secretary for the
Environment, or me. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
cc: Tom Reeder
Sincerely,
�,
1
Jo n C. Evans
C ief Deputy Secretary
1601 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1601
Phone: [phone] Internet: www.ncdenr.gov
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