EPA wants data on coal ash storage sites

subscribe

Seven South Carolina power plants owned by four utilities are included in a federal review of more than 300 coal ash storage sites.

One of the plants is owned by Columbia-based South Carolina Electric & Gas Co.; four belong to state-operated Santee Cooper; and Duke Energy and Progress Energy own the other two.

Details about the sites, results of inspections and histories of any spills or leakage have to be furnished by the utilities to the Environmental Protection Agency.

The request follows the failure in December of a dike at a Tennessee power plant that released tons of toxic coal ash, which ruined area residences and killed millions of fish.

Chances of such a catastrophe are remote, said Laura Varn of Santee Cooper.

“The walls are built with sound science, and we perform routine dike inspections and employ solid maintenance practices throughout the year,” Varn said.

About 61 percent of electric power consumed by S.C. homes, businesses and industries is generated by coal-fired generating plants.

Related News

nrc power plant

US NRC streamlines licensing for advanced reactors

WASHINGTON - The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) voted 4-0 to approve the implementation of a more streamlined and predictable licensing pathway for advanced non-light water reactors, the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) announced.

This approach is consistent with the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernisation Act (NEIMA) legislation passed in 2019 by the US Congress calling for the development of a risk-informed, performance-based and technology inclusive licensing process for advanced reactor developers.

NEI Chief Nuclear Officer Doug True said: “A modernised regulatory framework is a key enabler of next-generation nuclear technologies that can help us meet our energy needs while protecting the climate.…

READ MORE
pakistan nuclear energy

'Pakistan benefits from nuclear technology'

READ MORE

jay grewal

New president at Manitoba Hydro to navigate turmoil at Crown corporation

READ MORE

powerlines

The Banker Trying to Fix the UK's Electricity Grid

READ MORE

nuclear

'Net Zero' Emissions Targets Not Possible Without Multiple New Nuclear Power Stations, Say Industry Leaders

READ MORE