Containment and Clean Up for Dan River Coal Ash Spill Ongoing; Future Work Under Consideration

---

Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--A significant coal ash spill near Eden, North Carolina, is still being cleaned up and contained. The spill was the result of a failed stormwater pipe that ran under the ash pond at the Dan River Steam Station. The plant, which is owned and monitored by Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) (Charlotte, North Carolina), has been closed since April 2012. An estimated 30,000 to 39,000 tons of ash were released as a result of the pipe failure. This is down from an earlier estimate of between 50,000 and 82,000 tons.

"We apologize and will use all available resources to take care of the river," said Paul Newton, the president of Duke Energy. "We will do the right thing for the river and surrounding communities. We are accountable."

Although an analysis of the pipe break is not complete, an early investigation carried out by Duke and North Carolina's Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) found a corrugated metal section of the 48-inch diameter stormwater pipe that looks like the point of failure. NCDENR reported on February 5 that "Duke Energy is operating under emergency provisions under the Dam Safety Act of 1967 to stabilize and repair the embankment that has been compromised on the western side of the ash pond."

The 27-acre ash pond is held in place by a dam which, according to officials, has not been affected by the incident. Significant excavation, dewatering, pipe grouting, ash deposit removal and environmental remediation work still remains.

The 48-inch diameter steel stormwater pipe is now blocked and being grouted and filled.

Second Pipe in Question
A second, 36-inch diameter stormwater pipe is made of concrete. NCDENR reports that "planning and assessment continues with respect to the rerouting of stormwater around the 36-inch pipe."

"We're concerned about the leaks we see in the 36-inch pipe and want to prevent a second pipe failure," said Tracy Davis, director of the North Carolina Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources (NCDEMLR). "We've asked Duke to provide a schedule for developing a design and implementing that design to repair the pipe."

Steve McEvoy, a dam safety engineer with NCDENR, reviewed video of the interior of the 36-inch pipe and sent a letter to Duke Energy, saying that he noted "a number of joints dripping and flowing." The letter goes on to say that "further review and mitigation" is warranted and that Duke should "provide a schedule within 10 days of receipt of this letter for design and implementation of these mitigation measures."

Industrial Info is tracking an active dismantlement project at the Dan River Steam Station.

View Project Report - 300125107

Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, three offices in North America and nine international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle™, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.