RICHMOND, Va., April 17, 2015
/PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Virginia
Power will close all of the ash ponds at its Virginia
power stations in compliance with standards established by the
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Coal Combustion Residuals
rules.
The company will close ponds at four locations in Virginia: Bremo Power Station in Fluvanna County, Chesapeake Energy Center in
Chesapeake, Chesterfield Power
Station in Chesterfield County,
and Possum Point Power Station in Prince William
County.
Coal ash is the remainder left after coal is burned to generate
electricity. In recent years, Dominion has closed or converted to
cleaner fuel five coal-fired power stations serving Virginia.
Nearly two-thirds of the electricity produced by Dominion's
generation serving the state now comes from carbon-free nuclear
generation, clean-burning natural gas and renewables.
The company no longer uses coal as a fuel at its Bremo,
Chesapeake and Possum Point power
stations.
"The EPA rules were just finalized, and we have been working on
plans based on the proposed rule in order to be prepared," said
Pamela Faggert, Dominion's chief
environmental officer and vice president of Corporate Compliance.
"We are working with the Virginia Department of Environmental
Quality and other state agencies to develop closure plans that are
in compliance with the new rules."
Under the EPA rules, fly ash has been determined to be a
non-hazardous material.
Once Dominion has obtained the needed permits from DEQ, other
agencies and local jurisdictions, the company will begin the actual
closure work.
In general, the ponds that are being closed will be drained and
covered by a rugged, impermeable liner, then topped with 24 inches
of soil. Either grass or sod will be planted on top of the soil.
The specifics of the closure plan will be determined by DEQ.
Closing the ponds in this manner complies with federal standards
set by the EPA.
Dominion Virginia Power is a
subsidiary of Dominion (NYSE:D). Dominion is one of the nation's
largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of
approximately 24,600 megawatts of generation, 12,200 miles of
natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline, and 6,455
miles of electric transmission lines. Dominion operates one
of the nation's largest natural gas storage systems with 928
billion cubic feet of storage capacity and serves utility and
retail energy customers in 13 states. For more information about
Dominion, visit the company's website at www.dom.com.
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dominion-virginia-power-to-close-all-coal-ash-ponds-in-virginia-300068046.html
SOURCE Dominion Virginia Power