Draft Classification Frequently Asked Questions
Thanks to Governor McCrory’s leadership, North Carolina has become a national leader in addressing
the longstanding issue of coal ash. The proposed classifications released today represent another step
towards coal ash closure, but our work is far from over. DEQ will continue to devote significant
resources to protect the environment and public health from the threat of coal ash.
In an effort to provide the public with a better understanding of the draft classification process, staff at
the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) put together a list of frequently asked questions
(FAQ) on DEQ’s draft classifications for Duke Energy’s coal ash storage impoundments. The following
FAQ explains what the classifications mean, how they were developed, and the next steps in the coal
ash impoundment closure process.
What are the draft risk classifications?
DEQ assessed the risk to public health, safety, welfare and the environment that each coal ash storage
impoundment in North Carolina poses. The classification will help determine the deadline for closing
each coal ash impoundment, with greater priority for closure being given to those impoundments that
present the greatest risk.
Why did the DEQ determine a risk classification for each impoundment?
State law requires that DEQ assess the risk of each coal ash storage impoundment and generate a draft
list of proposed classifications based on its findings by Dec. 31, 2015.
What do the different classifications mean?
DEQ designated each coal ash impoundment as high, intermediate or low-risk based on several factors
that measure a coal ash impoundment’s potential risk to public health, safety and the environment. It is
important to note that the draft classifications are NOT final. The draft proposed classifications will be
finalized after the completion of public meetings and the submission of public comments.
Coal ash storage impoundments that are designated as high-risk require the excavation, removal and
safe storage of all coal ash by Dec. 31, 2019.
Coal ash storage impoundments that are designated intermediate-risk require excavation, removal and
safe storage of all coal ash by Dec. 31, 2024.
Coal ash storage impoundments that are designated low-risk require closure and safe storage of all coal
ash by Dec. 31, 2029. The method of closure for low-risk impoundments could vary. Requirements for
impoundments classified as low are similar to the federal coal ash rule, which does not require
excavation of coal ash and allows for equally protective, less costly options.
How did DEQ decide which impoundments were high, intermediate, or low-risk?
As required by state law, DEQ determined an impoundment’s risk classification based on three main
factors. The three main factors evaluated by DEQ to determine an impoundment’s classification were:
impacts to groundwater, dam safety, and impacts to surface water.
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 These three factors were considered in light of new federal requirements for the safe disposal of coal
ash. The combined level of risk of all three factors determined whether an impoundment was classified
as high, intermediate or low risk.
How did DEQ measure these factors?
To develop risk classifications, state officials reviewed the comprehensive site assessments and
corrective action plans that Duke Energy began submitting to DEQ in August for each of Duke Energy’s
14 coal ash facilities. Staff inspected each of the 32 ash ponds, conducted and provided oversight for
sampling, and reviewed discharges and corrective action plans for each facility. DEQ also reviewed the
results of the drinking water supply well surveys, groundwater, dam safety and surface water
considerations.
I read in the newspaper that an early report from DEQ had all the impoundments as “high-risk.” Why
did that change?
The draft proposed classifications are the result of months of review by DEQ staff of scientific
information about each coal ash impoundment’s impact to the environment and public health. The draft
classifications changed as DEQ experts received and reviewed scientific information.
It’s unfortunate that a special interest group tried to corrupt the process by leaking an early draft based
on incomplete information. The leaked document represented a snapshot of the complicated scientific
analysis DEQ conducted to determine the classifications. Their attempt to corrupt the process was also a
disservice to the DEQ employees who have worked tirelessly to make sure the classifications are done
correctly.
These draft classifications are subject to change based on public meetings that will be held in February
and March, and public comment that will be received during the public comment period.
Will my electricity bill be affected?
The classification process will set the specific timetable for closure of each coal ash impoundment and
the method of closure will be determined by closure plans, which will be submitted to DEQ for review
and approval. In accordance with the coal ash law, impacts to electricity costs may be considered when
making determinations to closure plans.
The NC Utilities Commission Public Staff estimated that the total cost of cleanup will be between $2-10
billion depending on the method of closure for each impoundment. Duke has publicly stated that it
plans to pass the cost of cleanup on to ratepayers, which would drive up your electricity bill.
I live in a county with a high risk classification site. What does that mean?
Of Duke Energy’s 14 coal ash facilities, four sites are designated as high-risk by the coal ash law. The high
risk classification means that the impoundments will be among the first to close, but does not mean
there is an immediate threat to public safety or the environment. The coal ash law specifically requires
that coal ash impoundments at Duke Energy’s Sutton, Asheville, Riverbend and Dan River facilities be
permanently closed by Aug. 1, 2019.
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 I live in a county with an intermediate risk classification site. What does that mean?
Impoundments that are classified as intermediate are recommended to be among the second group of
impoundments to close. Like the impoundments classified as high-risk, all intermediate-risk
impoundments require excavation, removal and safe storage of all coal ash. The coal ash law specifically
requires that coal ash impoundments classified as intermediate-risk be permanently closed by Dec. 31,
2024.
I live in a county with a low risk classification site. What does that mean?
Low risk impoundments require closure and safe storage of all coal ash be completed by Dec. 31, 2029.
The classification sets the schedule for closure of the coal ash impoundments, not the method of
closure. The method of closure for low risk impoundments could vary and will be determined by a
closure plan that protects public health and the environment. Closure plans for low risk impoundments
are to be submitted to DEQ by Dec. 31, 2018.
What does the low-intermediate risk classification mean?
DEQ staff identified data gaps and deficiencies within the reports submitted by Duke Energy that limited
DEQ’s ability to make definitive determinations for some impoundments. In cases where DEQ staff
found that it did not have enough data to conclusively determine a classification level, the
impoundment was given a range. Once DEQ completes its review of all data submitted by Duke, it will
modify the classifications to either low or intermediate.
What happens next?
DEQ is drafting a written report that explains in detail how it developed each impoundment’s proposed
classification, which will be made public within 30 days. The report will be provided to local health
directors and made available in a library in each county where a coal ash facility is located.
Public input is critically important to this process. In February and March, DEQ will hold public meetings
in each county with a coal ash facility to gather feedback on the proposed risk classification report. DEQ
will also seek written comments from the public over a sixty-day period. All public comments will be
considered before the proposed classifications are finalized.

To read the Executive Summary of the Draft Proposed Impoundment Classifications, click here.
To watch a video on the draft proposed classifications, click here.
To view a map of the draft proposed classifications for each coal ash impoundment, click here.
For more information on coal ash in North Carolina, please visit www.ncdenr.gov.

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