2014 Dan River coal ash spill: Difference between revisions
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== Environmental impact == |
== Environmental impact == |
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The [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] has been collecting dissolved contaminant concentration data in the Dan River (from the VA/NC state line to |
The [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] has been collecting dissolved contaminant concentration data in the Dan River (from the VA/NC state line to midway between Danville and South Boston) since the coal ash spill.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|url=https://response.epa.gov/site/site_profile.aspx?site_id=9065|title=Site Profile - Eden NC Coal Ash Spill - EPA OSC Response|website=response.epa.gov|language=en|access-date=2018-03-12}}</ref> The organization has been periodically comparing the retrieved water/sediment chemistry data to ecological risk screening levels (ERSLs) to assess risk to aquatic and plant life.<ref name=":02" /> Certain contaminants that were measured exceed the screening levels, necessitating that the water/sediment chemistry must continue to be monitored.<ref name=":02" /> [[Fly ash|Coal ash]] can coat and degrade the habitats of aquatic animals as well as cause direct harm to certain organisms.<ref name=":02" /> Coal ash typically contains toxic metals such as arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, and selenium (PSR- Coal Ash). A study conducted at [[Belews Lake]], Winston-Salem NC, found that selenium-laden waters caused fish deaths for over a decade (PSR- Coal Ash). People and birds feeding on the toxic fish experienced adverse health impacts as well (PSR- Coal Ash). |
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[[File:Dan River Coal Ash Core Sampling USFWS.jpg|thumb|USFWS responders take core samples of Dan River sediment following the spill]] |
[[File:Dan River Coal Ash Core Sampling USFWS.jpg|thumb|USFWS responders take core samples of Dan River sediment following the spill]] |
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The latest surface water sampling results were released by the EPA in July, 2014 |
The latest surface water sampling results were released by the EPA in July, 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.epa.gov/dukeenergy-coalash/sampling-results-duke-energy-coal-ash-spill-eden-nc|title=Sampling Results for Duke Energy Coal Ash Spill in Eden, NC {{!}} US EPA|last=04|first=US EPA,REG|website=US EPA|language=en|access-date=2018-03-12}}</ref> All surface water chemical concentrations were found to be below the ERSLs except for lead.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|url=https://www.epa.gov/dukeenergy-coalash/frequently-asked-questions-faqs-about-duke-energy-coal-ash-spill-eden-nc|title=Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Duke Energy Coal Ash Spill in Eden, NC {{!}} US EPA|last=04|first=US EPA,REG|website=US EPA|language=en|access-date=2018-03-12}}</ref> The latest sediment sampling results were released in July, 2014.<ref name=":12" /> All sediment chemical concentrations were found to be below the ERSLs except for aluminum, arsenic, barium, and iron.<ref name=":12" /> The latest soil sampling results were released in June, 2014.<ref name=":12" /> All soil chemical concentrations were found to be below the ERSLs except for aluminum, barium, iron, and manganese.<ref name=":12" /> |
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| ⚫ | The coal ash will never be fully removed from the river.<ref name=":12" /> This is due to samples passing human health screening, the potential for historical contamination to become re-suspended, and removal being more detrimental to certain endangered species than the coal ash itself.<ref name=":12" /> In addition, the coal ash is already mixed in with existing sediment, complicating its removal further.<ref name=":12" /> |
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| ⚫ | The coal ash will never be fully removed from the river |
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== Regulation == |
== Regulation == |
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[[File:Dan River Steam Station - aerial - 2014.png|thumb|Aerial view of the [[Dan River Steam Station]], site of the 2014 coal ash spill]] |
[[File:Dan River Steam Station - aerial - 2014.png|thumb|Aerial view of the [[Dan River Steam Station]], site of the 2014 coal ash spill]] |
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== Outcomes == |
== Outcomes == |
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Largely as a result of the attention brought to Duke Energy's handling of coal ash ponds by the 2014 disaster, the North Carolina state legislature ordered Duke Energy to close its 32 ash ponds in the state by 2029. On |
Largely as a result of the attention brought to Duke Energy's handling of coal ash ponds by the 2014 disaster, the North Carolina state legislature ordered Duke Energy to close its 32 ash ponds in the state by 2029. On May 2nd 2014, Duke Energy and the EPA agreed to a 3 million dollar cleanup agreement.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/case-summary-duke-energy-agrees-3-million-cleanup-coal-ash-release-dan-river|title=Case Summary: Duke Energy Agrees to $3 Million Cleanup for Coal Ash Release in the Dan River {{!}} US EPA|last=EPA,OECA,OAP,ITD|first=US|website=US EPA|language=en|access-date=2018-03-16}}</ref> Part of the agreement is having Duke Energy identify areas of necessary cleanup on the Dan River that is estimated to cost around 1 million dollars.<ref name=":5" /> The other 2 million dollars is allocated to the EPA to address future response methods needed in order to clean up the Dan River.<ref name=":5" /> Spokesperson with Duke Energy has announced that they plan on getting out of the coal ash business all together.<ref name=":42"/> Associates have said that well before the Dan River incident they had allocated 130 million dollars to transitioning plants to handle fly-ash dry and manage it in lined landfills.<ref name=":42" /> Duke energy said that they have also created an advisory group of researchers to help with cleaner coal combustion in their facilities.<ref name=":42" /> |
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== Efforts == |
== Efforts == |
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{{ |
{{more citations needed|section|date=March 2018}} |
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[[File:Dan River coal ash spill - impoundment cleanup - 2014-02-09.jpg|thumb|center|350px|Cleanup activities at the collapsed coal ash impoundment in 2014]] |
[[File:Dan River coal ash spill - impoundment cleanup - 2014-02-09.jpg|thumb|center|350px|Cleanup activities at the collapsed coal ash impoundment in 2014]] |
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To keep the energy provider accountable, under the Administrative Settlement Agreement & Order on Consent for Removal Action (AOC) as of May 2014, the Respondent, [[Duke Energy]], was required to submit a number of plans to [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]], including a scope of work, public health, post-removal site control, and engineering plans<ref name=":0" /> |
To keep the energy provider accountable, under the Administrative Settlement Agreement & Order on Consent for Removal Action (AOC) as of May 2014, the Respondent, [[Duke Energy]], was required to submit a number of plans to [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]], including a scope of work, public health, post-removal site control, and engineering plans.<ref name=":0" /> |
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* The work plan includes descriptions and a schedule of actions required by the settlement. |
* The work plan includes descriptions and a schedule of actions required by the settlement. |
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* The public health plan ensures protection of public health during on-site removal projects. |
* The public health plan ensures protection of public health during on-site removal projects. |
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* The engineering report describes steps executed by Duke to improve the structural durability of post-release impoundments and storm sewer lines running under their coal ash impoundments. |
* The engineering report describes steps executed by Duke to improve the structural durability of post-release impoundments and storm sewer lines running under their coal ash impoundments. |
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Within these plans, [[Duke Energy]] is responsible for creating and implementing a Site Assessment that includes but is not limited to ecological analysis, surface water and sediment assessment as well as post-removal monitoring protocols to calculate the extent of pollution in the [[Dan River]] in North Carolina and the [[Kerr Lake|Kerr Reservoir]] and Schoolfield Dam in [[Danville, Virginia]]<ref name=":0" /> |
Within these plans, [[Duke Energy]] is responsible for creating and implementing a Site Assessment that includes but is not limited to ecological analysis, surface water and sediment assessment as well as post-removal monitoring protocols to calculate the extent of pollution in the [[Dan River]] in North Carolina and the [[Kerr Lake|Kerr Reservoir]] and Schoolfield Dam in [[Danville, Virginia]].<ref name=":0" /> These assessments were approved by the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] in consultation with the affected states agencies including NCDEQ and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ). Following the spill and written into the AOC are monitoring protocols in which the EPA will sporadically authorize the NCDEQ and VDEQ to take split or duplicate [[Water quality#Sampling and measurement|water samples]] to ensure consistent quality after removal of the [[coal ash]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=In the Matter of Eden Ash Spill (a/k/a/ Duke Coal Ash Spill), Eden, Rockingham County, North Carolina. Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, Respondent. Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent for Removal Action. |url=https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-06/documents/signed-eden-ash-spill-aoc-04-2014-3762.pdf |website=Enforcement |publisher=EPA |date=2014-05-22}}</ref> |
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In February 2016 [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] proposed a $6.8 million settlement, which [[Duke Energy]] immediately appealed. In September the corporation accepted a settlement just shy of the original amount at $5,983,750 to be paid for fines, restitution, cleanup assessment, removal, and community action initiatives.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2016/09/23/duke-energy-agrees-to-pay-6-million-fine-in-the.html|title=Duke Energy agrees to pay $6M fine in the Dan River coal ash spill case|last=Downey |first=John |date=2016-09-23 |website=Charlotte Business Journal}}</ref> Regarding the initial settlement cost listed above, [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] sends periodic bills to [[Duke Energy]] accounting for direct and indirect costs incurred by [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]], its contractors, and the [[United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]]<ref name=":0" /> |
In February 2016 [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] proposed a $6.8 million settlement, which [[Duke Energy]] immediately appealed. In September the corporation accepted a settlement just shy of the original amount at $5,983,750 to be paid for fines, restitution, cleanup assessment, removal, and community action initiatives.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2016/09/23/duke-energy-agrees-to-pay-6-million-fine-in-the.html|title=Duke Energy agrees to pay $6M fine in the Dan River coal ash spill case|last=Downey |first=John |date=2016-09-23 |website=Charlotte Business Journal}}</ref> Regarding the initial settlement cost listed above, [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] sends periodic bills to [[Duke Energy]] accounting for direct and indirect costs incurred by [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]], its contractors, and the [[United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]].<ref name=":0" /> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 15:17, 11 April 2018
In February 2014, an Eden, North Carolina facility owned by Duke Energy spilled 39,000 tons of coal ash into the Dan River. The company later pled guilty to criminal negligence in their handling of coal ash at Eden and elsewhere and paid substantial fines. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has since been responsible for overseeing cleanup of the waste. EPA and Duke Energy signed an administrative order for the site cleanup.
Incident
On February 2, 2014 at a coal ash containment pond owned by Duke Energy in Eden, North Carolina, a drainage pipe burst sending 39,000 tons of coal ash into the Dan River. In addition to the coal ash, 27 million gallons of wastewater from the plant was also released into the river.[1] The broken pipe was left unsealed for almost a week before the draining coal ash was stopped. The ash was spread and deposited up to 70 miles (110 km) from the site of the spill and contained harmful metals and chemicals that had environmentalists enraged.[2] This catastrophe occurred at the site of the Dan River Steam Station, a retired coal power plant which had ceased operation in 2012.[3] Duke Energy apologized for the incident and worked for months attempting to clean up the coal ash. Workers were only able to remove about ten percent of the coal ash that was spilled into the river, but efforts are still being made and Duke Energy has put a plan in place to spend around 3 million dollars to continue the cleanup efforts.[2]
CNN reported that the river was turned into an oily sludge. The river is a drinking water source for communities in North Carolina and Virginia.[4] Immediate tests showed increased amounts of toxic chemicals such as arsenic and selenium,[5] but the river was deemed by officials to be a safe source for drinking water. Duke Energy quickly realized how difficult it would be to clean up the coal ash and apologized for the incident. The coal ash immediately endangered animals and fish species that lived in or around the river and relied on the fresh water. Six days after the spill Duke Energy announced that the leakage had been stopped and they pledged to clean up the coal ash.[4]
Causes
The cause of the ash spill was described by the EPA as a limited structural flaw [6]. A storm pipe nearby the deposits of a coal ash slurry containment area broke and allowed for the leakage [7]. Coal ash slurry is produced during the process of washing impurities off coal, resulting in a liquid waste that is seen as very harmful to the environment [8]. Coal companies have found that the cheapest way to store this waste is in dam made from solid coal refuse that is typically kept in the head of a valley near the coal plant [8]. This hazardous material was released into the Dan River because of the collapse of a 48 inch drain pipe [7]. The pipe was made of concrete and corrugated metal and reason for the fracture cannot be identified [7]. What resulted was 39 thousand tons of coal ash and 27 million gallons of ash pond water were deposited into the Dan River [7]. Coal ash is made up of various materials after the burning of coal takes place. These include silica, arsenic, boron, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, selenium, and zinc [7].
Environmental impact
The EPA has been collecting dissolved contaminant concentration data in the Dan River (from the VA/NC state line to midway between Danville and South Boston) since the coal ash spill.[9] The organization has been periodically comparing the retrieved water/sediment chemistry data to ecological risk screening levels (ERSLs) to assess risk to aquatic and plant life.[9] Certain contaminants that were measured exceed the screening levels, necessitating that the water/sediment chemistry must continue to be monitored.[9] Coal ash can coat and degrade the habitats of aquatic animals as well as cause direct harm to certain organisms.[9] Coal ash typically contains toxic metals such as arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, and selenium (PSR- Coal Ash). A study conducted at Belews Lake, Winston-Salem NC, found that selenium-laden waters caused fish deaths for over a decade (PSR- Coal Ash). People and birds feeding on the toxic fish experienced adverse health impacts as well (PSR- Coal Ash).
The latest surface water sampling results were released by the EPA in July, 2014.[10] All surface water chemical concentrations were found to be below the ERSLs except for lead.[11] The latest sediment sampling results were released in July, 2014.[11] All sediment chemical concentrations were found to be below the ERSLs except for aluminum, arsenic, barium, and iron.[11] The latest soil sampling results were released in June, 2014.[11] All soil chemical concentrations were found to be below the ERSLs except for aluminum, barium, iron, and manganese.[11]
The coal ash will never be fully removed from the river.[11] This is due to samples passing human health screening, the potential for historical contamination to become re-suspended, and removal being more detrimental to certain endangered species than the coal ash itself.[11] In addition, the coal ash is already mixed in with existing sediment, complicating its removal further.[11]
Regulation
The New York Times reported that the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ; formerly the Department of Environment and Natural Resources) was directed to minimize its regulatory role prior to the accident by Governor Pat McCrory.[12] Prior to being Governor, McCrory had worked for Duke Energy for nearly three decades.[12][13] At the time, it was the third largest coal ash spill to have occurred in the United States.[14][15][16] Prior to the incident, environmental groups had attempted to sue Duke Energy three times in 2013 under the Clean Water Act to force the company to fix leaks in its coal ash dumps. Each time, the groups were blocked by NCDEQ, which eventually fined the company $99,111.[17][18] Federal prosecutors found this fine to be suspiciously low, and investigated both Duke Energy and the state regulators.[19] Many newspaper editorials alleged that Duke Energy's environmental safety controls were lax and that the company "bullied" regulators.[19]
After the incident, Duke Energy was prosecuted by a number of agencies, and substantial evidence was presented indicating that company officials knew about numerous coal ash leaks in various plants including the Eden facility and declined to resolve it or provide local plant administrators the funds they were requesting to monitor and mitigate the problems.[17][18] At the federal level, Duke was prosecuted by the United States Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division and pled guilty to nine charges of criminal negligence under the Clean Water Act. Duke agreed to pay $102 million in fines and restitution, the largest federal criminal fine in North Carolina history.[17] Duke also agreed to pay fines to North Carolina and Virginia ($2.5 million).[20]
Outcomes
Largely as a result of the attention brought to Duke Energy's handling of coal ash ponds by the 2014 disaster, the North Carolina state legislature ordered Duke Energy to close its 32 ash ponds in the state by 2029. On May 2nd 2014, Duke Energy and the EPA agreed to a 3 million dollar cleanup agreement.[21] Part of the agreement is having Duke Energy identify areas of necessary cleanup on the Dan River that is estimated to cost around 1 million dollars.[21] The other 2 million dollars is allocated to the EPA to address future response methods needed in order to clean up the Dan River.[21] Spokesperson with Duke Energy has announced that they plan on getting out of the coal ash business all together.[22] Associates have said that well before the Dan River incident they had allocated 130 million dollars to transitioning plants to handle fly-ash dry and manage it in lined landfills.[22] Duke energy said that they have also created an advisory group of researchers to help with cleaner coal combustion in their facilities.[22]
Efforts
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (March 2018) |
To keep the energy provider accountable, under the Administrative Settlement Agreement & Order on Consent for Removal Action (AOC) as of May 2014, the Respondent, Duke Energy, was required to submit a number of plans to EPA, including a scope of work, public health, post-removal site control, and engineering plans.[23]
- The work plan includes descriptions and a schedule of actions required by the settlement.
- The public health plan ensures protection of public health during on-site removal projects.
- The post-removal site control plan provides the EPA with documentation of all post-removal arrangements.
- The engineering report describes steps executed by Duke to improve the structural durability of post-release impoundments and storm sewer lines running under their coal ash impoundments.
Within these plans, Duke Energy is responsible for creating and implementing a Site Assessment that includes but is not limited to ecological analysis, surface water and sediment assessment as well as post-removal monitoring protocols to calculate the extent of pollution in the Dan River in North Carolina and the Kerr Reservoir and Schoolfield Dam in Danville, Virginia.[23] These assessments were approved by the EPA in consultation with the affected states agencies including NCDEQ and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ). Following the spill and written into the AOC are monitoring protocols in which the EPA will sporadically authorize the NCDEQ and VDEQ to take split or duplicate water samples to ensure consistent quality after removal of the coal ash.[23]
In February 2016 EPA proposed a $6.8 million settlement, which Duke Energy immediately appealed. In September the corporation accepted a settlement just shy of the original amount at $5,983,750 to be paid for fines, restitution, cleanup assessment, removal, and community action initiatives.[24] Regarding the initial settlement cost listed above, EPA sends periodic bills to Duke Energy accounting for direct and indirect costs incurred by EPA, its contractors, and the Department of Justice.[23]
References
- ^ "Dan River Coal Ash Spill". Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Program - Case Document Library. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
- ^ a b "Case Summary: Duke Energy Agrees to $3 Million Cleanup for Coal Ash Release in the Dan River". Enforcement. Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2017-03-15.
- ^ "Dan River Steam Station". Power Plants. Charlotte, NC: Duke Energy Corporation. Retrieved 2018-03-17.
- ^ a b Shoicet, Catherine E. (2014-02-09). "Spill spews tons of coal ash into North Carolina's Dan River". CNN.
- ^ "Arsenic Toxicity Case Study: What are the Physiologic Effects of Arsenic Exposure?". Environmental Health and Medicine Education. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. 2009-10-01.
- ^ taft.wireback@news-record.com, Taft Wireback/News & Record. "Dan River Coal Ash Disaster: Environmental impact could take years to determine". Greensboro News & Record. Retrieved 2018-03-16.
- ^ a b c d e Dan River Coal Ash Spill Assessment Plan. Dan River Natural Resource Trustee Council. 2015. pp. 6–7.
{{cite book}}:|first=missing|last=(help) - ^ a b "Coal Slurry and Coal Ash". SouthWings. 2014-02-18. Retrieved 2018-03-16.
- ^ a b c d "Site Profile - Eden NC Coal Ash Spill - EPA OSC Response". response.epa.gov. Retrieved 2018-03-12.
- ^ 04, US EPA,REG. "Sampling Results for Duke Energy Coal Ash Spill in Eden, NC | US EPA". US EPA. Retrieved 2018-03-12.
{{cite web}}:|last=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d e f g h 04, US EPA,REG. "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Duke Energy Coal Ash Spill in Eden, NC | US EPA". US EPA. Retrieved 2018-03-12.
{{cite web}}:|last=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Gabriel 2014.
- ^ Katz 2014.
- ^ Chakravorty & Gopinath 2015.
- ^ Broome 2016.
- ^ Martinson 2014.
- ^ a b c Broome 2015.
- ^ a b Henderson 2016.
- ^ a b Stahl 2014.
- ^ Henderson 2015.
- ^ a b c EPA,OECA,OAP,ITD, US. "Case Summary: Duke Energy Agrees to $3 Million Cleanup for Coal Ash Release in the Dan River | US EPA". US EPA. Retrieved 2018-03-16.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
:42was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c d "In the Matter of Eden Ash Spill (a/k/a/ Duke Coal Ash Spill), Eden, Rockingham County, North Carolina. Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, Respondent. Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent for Removal Action" (PDF). Enforcement. EPA. 2014-05-22.
- ^ Downey, John (2016-09-23). "Duke Energy agrees to pay $6M fine in the Dan River coal ash spill case". Charlotte Business Journal.
- Broome, Gerry (14 May 2015). "Duke Energy fined $102 million in coal ash spill". CBS News / AP.
{{cite news}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Broome, Gerry (25 September 2016). "Duke Energy Corporation agrees to $6 million fine for coal ash spill, North Carolina says". CBS News / AP.
{{cite news}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Chakravorty, Shubhankar; Gopinath, Swetha (18 February 2015). "Duke Energy Close To Settling With Government Over Spill". HuffPost.
{{cite news}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Gabriel, Trip (1 February 2014). "Ash Spill Shows How Watchdog Was Defanged". The New York Times.
{{cite news}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Henderson, Bruce (3 April 2015). "Duke Energy to pay Virginia $2.5 million for Dan River spill". Charlotte Observer.
{{cite news}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Henderson, Bruce (9 February 2016). "N.C. fines Duke Energy $6.6 million for Dan River spill". Charlotte Observer.
{{cite news}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Katz, Jonathan M. (7 May 2014). "Money, Politics, and Pollution in North Carolina". The New Yorker.
{{cite news}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Martinson, Erica (24 March 2014). "EPA coal ash rule still not done". Politico.
{{cite news}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Stahl, Lesley (7 December 2014). "The Spill at Dan River". CBS News.
{{cite news}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help)
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