In 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a new rule addressing the handling, storage and disposal of coal combustion residuals (CCRs). CCRs are the materials that remain after coal is burned.
Two Conesville Plant ash storage sites are included in the CCR monitoring program:
- The ash pond system
- The landfill
AEP used both ash storage sites during the operation of the Conesville Station. The site used the ash pond system to receive wet bottom ash. A dry handling system was used for fly ash. Both fly ash and flue gas desulfurization (FGD) materials were placed in a landfill.
In mid-May 2020 AEP ceased operations of Conesville Plant, the plant has stopped placing material into the pond and landfill.
On June 5, 2020, AEP transferred ownership of the site to Conesville Industrial Park, LLC., (CIP) who will move forward with plans to clean close the CCR impoundment.
CIP is also looking to take advantage of opportunities to beneficially reuse as much CCR material as possible.
