Georgia Power updates ash pond closure plans for Plants Branch, Bowen

Georgia Power recently updated closure plans for ash ponds at Plants Branch and Bowen, which increased the total number of ash ponds to be completely excavated from 17 to 19.

The ash ponds to be completely excavated includes all ash ponds located adjacent to lakes or rivers. The remaining 10 ash ponds will be closed in place using advanced engineering methods and closure technologies.

“Permanently closing our ash ponds is about more than compliance for Georgia Power, it’s about a persistent focus on making the best decisions for our customers, at each individual site and for our neighboring communities,” Mark Berry, vice president of Environmental & Natural Resources for Georgia Power, said. “Our multiyear closure strategy is aggressive, and we are making great progress while remaining committed to working quickly and safely, protecting water quality every step of the way and complying with state and federal requirements.”

At Plant Branch, Georgia Power will completely excavate the ash ponds onsite, then store the ash in a new, lined landfill on plant property. The company noted that the updated plan enables it to preserve the option to improve recycling of the ash and increases the potential for future redevelopment or sale of the site.

At Plant Bowen, the company will excavate the 250-acre ash pond, permanently close it and create a new, lined ash storage facility on site.

As of August 2018, Georgia Power has completed closure construction activities and removed all ash from five ash ponds at Plants Branch, Kraft, McDonough, and Yates. Closure construction efforts at six additional ash ponds at Plants McDonough, McManus, Hammond, and Yates are expected to be completed later this year.