Two Eden ponds on EPA watch list

Two ponds in Rockingham County have been named to the country’s list of 44 “high hazard potential” coal ash impoundments, but officials say there is no cause for alarm.

According to a news release from the Environmental Protection Agency, two Eden ponds that store ash waste from Duke Energy’s Dan River plant were placed on the list.

The EPA released the list of sites following a spill at the TVA facility in Tennessee in December. Since then the agency has been gathering information on coal combustion residual impoundments from electrical utilities nationwide.

The list was compiled from information submitted to the EPA by the electric utilities in response to an information request.

A high hazard potential is not related to the stability of those sites, but to the potential for harm should the impoundment fail, the release states.

Jason Walls, a spokesperson for Duke Energy, said there is no reason to be concerned about the ponds in Eden.

“We remain confident that our ash dams are safe,” Walls said.

He explained that the utility company performs regular inspections on impoundments, including monthly walkarounds and annual inspections by an engineer.

Eden Mayor John Grogan said he’s confident that the ponds pose no risk to residents.

“We don’t feel like we’re in any danger,” he said.

Grogan said a meeting was held less than two weeks ago with Duke Energy and local officials to discuss the matter. He said the city has a good relationship with the utility company and he feels that should an emergency arise, it will be handled effectively.

The Eden sites were two of 12 North Carolina impoundments on the list, including Belews Creek Steam Station in Stokes County.