Riverbend Steam Station

Retirement: 2013
Capacity: 454 megawatts
Location: Gaston County, North Carolina
Commercial Date: 1929
Status: Retired

Riverbend Steam Station was constructed as a coal-fired generating facility located in Gaston County, N.C. The four-unit station was named for a bend in the Catawba River on which it is located. When in operation, Riverbend was considered a cycling station and was brought on line to supplement supply when electricity demand was high.

Four gas-fired combustion turbine units were retired in October 2012.

Duke Energy retired Riverbend Steam Station on April 1, 2013. The plant is being demolished through mechanical removal of plant structures. That work is expected to conclude in 2019.

Have a Question? Email your questions to:
CoalAshQuestions@duke-energy.com

Date	Title
05/09/2018	Following additional project research, we have developed a more cost-effective solution that reduces community impact. The company is actively demolishing the retired Riverbend coal plant and its associated buildings. Neighbors will notice site activity and some increased truck traffic as crews transport materials off-site for recycling. The powerhouse will not be imploded – but will be mechanically pulled down in sections, including the smokestacks. We will use clean, on-site soil to complete all backfill and final site grading work. This is great news because it will prevent us from hauling around 10,000 truckloads of dirt on public roads. That is 20,000 avoided trips if you count both ways for each truck.
Summer 2017- Summer 2018	The company is actively demolishing the retired Riverbend coal plant and its associated buildings. Neighbors will notice site activity and some increased truck traffic as the crew transports materials offsite for recycling. The powerhouse will not be imploded but will be mechanically pulled down in sections, including the smokestacks. Increased traffic also is expected in spring-summer 2018 as clean soil is brought to the site to fill in the former basement of the plant for grading and seeding.
07/25/2017	Neighbor letter updates community on status of retired coal plant demolition and ash basin excavation work.

Date	Title
10/21/2016	We have resumed operations to remove water from the ash basins at Riverbend Steam Station through a state-of-the art water treatment system. The system is designed specifically for the site and will be used to ensure the lake remains protected as we safely close ash basins.
05/12/2016	Update on plant decommissioning, ash excavation projects, dewatering and groundwater well installations.
02/25/2016	Neighbor update on coal ash management, excavation and rail operations; dewatering ash basins; and plant decommissioning and demolition project.

Date	Title
09/22/2015	Community open house to learn about decommissioning and coal ash removal. Bus tours to the plant site will be offered.
05/21/2015	Coal ash excavation starts with 10 truckloads a day to pilot the process and minimize impacts on neighbors. Ash will be sent to a fully lined landfill in Homer, Ga., and will be transported moist, in covered and washed trucks, to control dust.
02/12/2015	Neighbor letter with information on decommissioning work, groundwater monitoring wells and closing ash basins

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Riverbend Steam Station

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