Trucks hauling coal ash concern residents

MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. — A steady stream of trucks loaded with coal ash emerged from Duke Energy's retired Riverbend Steam plant Friday.

It's the first full day for moving coal ash away from Mountain Island Lake and the beginning of an effort to move 4 million tons of the controversial ash from the site.

IMAGES: SKYZOOM- Duke Energy moves coal ash from Riverbend

Trucks rolled onto Horseshoe Bend Beach Road in intervals.

PAST ARTICLE: Duke Energy moves coal ash from Riverbend 

They'll run 10 times a day, five days a week.
 
Each will be loaded with 20 tons of coal ash, which critics have complained about for years because it contains potentially toxic heavy metals to the body.

Those trucks are traveling down Highway 16 and into Charlotte before hitting Interstate 485 on their way to a landfill in Georgia.  

"That's troubling. I don't like it," Sandra McAulay said after learning the trucks were passing close to her home.
 
She's glad Duke Energy is finally moving the coal ash away from Mountain Island Lake, but she and others said they're concerned about coal ash dust escaping from the trucks.
 
Harold Willard, who lives down the road from the Riverbend Plant, said he hopes crews are making sure to "keep it covered up." 
 
The trucks being used to haul the coal ash are equipped with tarps that cover the bed tightly. The trucks are also being hosed down before hitting the road. 
 
Eventually Duke Energy plans to move the bulk of the 4 million tons of ash at Riverbend to lined pits in eastern North Carolina.
 
First it has to acquire permits from North Carolina officials, and once that happens, Duke Energy plans to begin using rail cars to haul the ash.

The project is expected to be completed in 2019.

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