Coal ash removal at Sutton Plant underway

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Crews are working to remove some of the coal ash from Wilmington’s Sutton Plant.

A spokesman with Duke Energy said five trucks carrying about 16-18 tons of coal ash will leave the plant daily for the Brickhaven mine location in Chatham County. That number will increase to 13-15 trucks later this month. The spokesman said ash will be transported by rail once work is completed on a rail spur in a few weeks. The Brickhaven site was a clay mine that will be lined with barriers to keep and maintain the coal ash.

The majority of the coal ash at the plant will stay at the plant and placed in a fully lined landfill. Officials said work on that landfill will begin in the coming months.