Roxboro Steam Electric Power Plant

Roxboro Steam Electric Power Plant has 8 groundwater monitoring wells, 3 of which have been polluted above federal advisory levels based on samples collected between October 30, 2010 and November 12, 2014. Groundwater at this site contains unsafe levels of sulfate, manganese and cadmium.

Duke Energy's Roxboro Steam Electric Power Plant is located on Hyco Lake in Semora, North Carolina. With a generating capacity of 2,422 megawatts (MW), Roxboro is the largest Duke Energy-owned plant and one of the largest power plants in the country. The facility began operations in 1966 and was enlarged through additions in 1973 and 1980.

During the 1970s, the plant released wastewater containing high concentrations of selenium (50-200 ug/L) into Hyco Lake, which resulted in sharp declines in local fish populations. In August 2013, the State of North Carolina entered into a consent decree regarding seeps and other un-permitted discharges to groundwater.

Following the coal ash containment issues at Duke Energy's Dan River Steam Station in February 2014, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) has reexamined existing permits and coal ash ponds at all fourteen of Duke Energy's power plants in North Carolina. Subsequently, the NCDENR cited five power plants - including Roxboro - for operating without stormwater permits.

For more information regarding Roxboro Steam Electric Power Plant, visit SoutheastCoalAsh.org.