BELEWS CREEK — As Duke Energy reaches a milestone by beginning the years-long process of moving stored coal ash at its Belews Creek Steam Station to a sprawling, lined landfill, North Carolina’s largest utility also is contemplating a future at the Stokes County site that potentially could include nuclear power.
Coal ash is transferred into a new lined basins at Duke Energy’s Belews Creek Steam Station, Wednesday. The process began in May under a temporary permit and North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) granted a permanent permit to operate the ash basin cell 2 (center) on June 26.
PHOTOS: Duke Energy begins transfer of coal ash to lined basins at Belews Creek
An aerial view of Duke Energy's Belews Creek Steam Station on the western shore of Belews Lake in Stokes County. Duke Energy Carolinas wants to raise rates in which residential customers could see their monthly power bills rise by an average of 14% by early 2028.
Walt Unks, Winston-Salem Journal file
Coal ash is transferred into a new lined basin at Duke Energy's Belews Creek Steam Station, July 26, 2023. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) granted a permit to operate the ash basin cell 2 (center) on June 26.
Walt Unks, Journal
Coal ash is transferred into a new lined basin at Duke Energy's Belews Creek Steam Station, July 26, 2023.
Walt Unks, Journal
A water tanker sprays water on coal ash after it has been transferred into a new lined basins at Duke Energy's Belews Creek Steam Station, July 26, 2023. The ash is sprayed to ensure it stays compacted and does not become airborne on windy days.
Walt Unks, Journal
Coal ash is transferred from an unlined area into a new lined basin at Duke Energy's Belews Creek Steam Station on Wednesday.
Walt Unks, Journal
Coal ash is transferred into a new lined basin at Duke Energy's Belews Creek Steam Station on Wednesday. The process began in May and is scheduled to be complete in 2033.
Walt Unks, Journal
Coal ash is transferred into a new lined basin at Duke Energy's Belews Creek Steam Station, July 26, 2023. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) granted a permit to operate the ash basin cell 2 (center) on June 26.
Walt Unks, Journal
Coal ash is transferred into a new lined basin at Duke Energy's Belews Creek Steam Station, July 26, 2023. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) granted a permit to operate the ash basin cell 2 (center) on June 26.
Walt Unks, Journal
Coal ash is transferred into a new lined basins at Duke Energy’s Belews Creek Steam Station, Wednesday. The process began in May under a temporary permit and North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) granted a permanent permit to operate the ash basin cell 2 (center) on June 26.
Walt Unks, Journal
Coal ash is transferred into a new lined basin at Duke Energy's Belews Creek Steam Station, July 26, 2023. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) granted a permit to operate the ash basin cell 2 on June 26.
Walt Unks, Journal
Duke Energy wants to make its Belews Creek Steam Station in Stokes County the first new nuclear power plant in the state since 1987.
Walt Unks, Journal
Duke Energy spokesman Bill Norton talks about how coal ash is transferred into a new lined basin at Duke Energy’s Belews Creek Steam Station, July 26, 2023. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) granted a permit to operate the ash basin cell 2 (center) on June 26.
Walt Unks, Winston-Salem Journal
A system of injection and extraction wells have been installed between Duke Energy's coal ash basin at the Belews Creek Steam Station and the Dan River. The system, part of Duke Energy's corrective action plan, injects clean water into the ground to flush groundwater toward nearby extraction wells. Any contaminated water in then extracted for treatment. Injection wells are small white pipes with yellow bollards placed for protecting the well. Extraction well are housed under tan protective covers. The power and instrumentation for the wells is housed in modified cargo containers.
Walt Unks, Journal
A system of injection and extraction wells have been installed between Duke Energy's coal ash basin at the Belews Creek Steam Station and the Dan River. The system, part of Duke Energy's corrective action plan, injects clean water into the ground to flush groundwater toward nearby extraction wells. Any contaminated water is then extracted for treatment. Injection wells are small white pipes with yellow bollards placed for protecting the well. Extraction wells are housed under tan protective covers. The power and instrumentation for the wells is housed in modified cargo containers.
Walt Unks, Journal
A system of injection and extraction wells have been installed between Duke Energy's coal ash basin at the Belews Creek Steam Station and the Dan River.
Walt Unks, Journal
Injection wells have been installed between Duke Energy's coal ash basin at Duke Energy's Belews Creek Steam Station and the Dan River. The system, part of Duke Energy's corrective action plan, injects clean water into the ground to flush groundwater toward nearby extraction wells. Any contaminated water is then extracted for treatment.
Walt Unks, Journal
Construction continues on the coal ash basin at Duke Energy's Belews Creek Steam Station, July 26, 2023.
Walt Unks, Journal
A system of injection and extraction wells have been installed between Duke Energy's coal ash basin at the Belews Creek Steam Station and the Dan River. The system, part of Duke Energy's corrective action plan, injects clean water into the ground to flush groundwater toward nearby extraction wells. Any contaminated water in then extracted for treatment. Injection wells are small white pipes with yellow bollards placed for protecting the well. Extraction well are housed under tan protective covers. The power and instrumentation for the wells is housed in modified cargo containers.
Walt Unks, Journal
The coal ash basins at Duke Energy's Belews Creek Steam Station are pictured (center) beyond the stacks of coal at the plant, July 26, 2023. In the distance is Hanging Rock State Park.
Walt Unks, Journal
Construction continues on the coal ash basin at Duke Energy's Belews Creek Steam Station, July 26, 2023.
Walt Unks, Journal
Construction continues on the coal ash basin at Duke Energy's Belews Creek Steam Station, July 26, 2023.
Walt Unks, Journal
A bulldozer moves coal at Duke Energy's Belews Creek Steam Station, July 26, 2023. The plant can both coal and natural gas, depending on the price of each commodity.
Walt Unks, Journal
A view from the top of Duke Energy's Belews Creek Steam Station, July 26, 2023 looking southwest toward the company's Craig Road landfill where new production ash is stored for resale for products like concrete.
Walt Unks, Journal
A bulldozer moves coal at Duke Energy's Belews Creek Steam Station, July 26, 2023. The plant can both coal and natural gas, depending on the price of each commodity.
Walt Unks, Journal
John Deem covers climate change and the environment in the Triad and Northwest North Carolina. His work is funded by a grant from the 1Earth Fund and the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.
Coal ash is transferred into a new lined basins at Duke Energy’s Belews Creek Steam Station, Wednesday. The process began in May under a temporary permit and North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) granted a permanent permit to operate the ash basin cell 2 (center) on June 26.
