Georgia Power has unveiled its third coal ash reuse project, this time focused on the decommissioned Plant Branch in Milledgeville, Georgia.

Plant Branch, which commenced commercial operation in 1965 and was retired in 2015, featured four coal-fired units with a collective capacity to generate 1,540 megawatts of electricity.

The initial phase of the Plant Branch reuse project entails the construction of an ash processing facility, with work expected to commence by the end of 2023. This facility is anticipated to become operational in 2026 and will be responsible for processing ash extracted from the on-site ash ponds.

Upon full functionality, the facility is poised to generate approximately 600,000 dry tons of marketable ash annually. Georgia Power envisions that during the 15-year lifespan of the project, more than 8 million tons of ash will be extracted and processed for use in concrete production.

Eco Material Technologies, a company specializing in sustainable cementitious materials and cement replacement products, is a key partner in this initiative. Eco Material Technologies will manage the entire Plant Branch project, including the utilization of the excavated coal ash.

It's important to note that Georgia Power is actively involved in other coal ash reuse projects as well. Notably, the utility has ongoing coal ash reuse initiatives at Plant Bowen near Cartersville and Plant Mitchell near Albany.

Plant Bowen's ash beneficiation project, initiated in 2022, stands as one of the largest of its kind in the United States. Substantial construction work has been completed for the ash beneficiation plant since its launch in September. Key components, such as a 1,000-ton silo and dryers, have been installed, along with process piping throughout the site. The transportation of harvested ash from Plant Bowen for use in the ready-mix concrete market is expected to commence in 2024.

Georgia Power also initiated its first coal ash reuse project at Plant Mitchell in 2020. The company continues to undertake the removal of stored coal ash from Plant Mitchell's three ash ponds. Over the next few years, approximately two million tons of ash are anticipated to be extracted from the site to contribute to the production of Portland cement, a critical ingredient in concrete manufacturing.

Coal ash, a byproduct of coal combustion in power plants, poses environmental challenges if not managed properly. Improper disposal can lead to pollution of waterways, groundwater, drinking water, and the air. Coal ash contains harmful contaminants, including mercury, cadmium, chromium, and arsenic, which are associated with serious health risks, including cancer.

In recognition of these environmental concerns, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established regulatory requirements in April 2015 for the safe handling and disposal of coal ash generated by coal-fired power plants. These requirements set forth technical specifications for the management of coal combustion residuals (CCRs) in landfills and surface impoundments to ensure safe handling and disposal.