NC S517

Appropriates $1,000,000 in nonrecurring funds for the 2023-2024 fiscal year to the Department of Environmental Quality for a pilot program to assess and remediate high-risk coal combustion products structural fill sites where coal combustion products were placed prior to the Coal Ash Management Act of 2014.

Department shall study sites managed under three programs: Division of Waste Management beneficial use sites, Division of Water Quality coal combustion products management sites, and sites with Distribution of Residual Solids permits from coal ash generating facilities.

Department shall select up to five sites for remediation based on criteria including potential risk to public health or environment, exposure from airborne or subsurface contamination, property owner ability to contribute, ash source, fill age, and property end use.

Department may take immediate corrective actions such as restoring protective cover or removing ash from streams at any site presenting imminent risk to public health, safety, or the environment.

Department shall submit an interim report by April 1, 2024, and a final report by December 1, 2024, to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources with activity summaries, selected sites, and recommendations for a permanent program.