Georgia Power is preparing to remove more than two million tons of potentially hazardous coal ash from storage ponds at its former Plant Arkwright site in Macon and then transport it by road to its decommissioned Plant Branch site in Putnam County, near Lake Sinclair.
The move, expected to involve about 30 dump trucks making weekday trips, is expected to take up to six years to complete, due to the sheer volume of material involved, a Georgia Power spokesman said in February to nearby residents of Plant Arkwright during an open-to-the-public informational session.
“We have all our plans submitted to EPD (Environmental Protection Division),” Grant Morgan, environmental affairs program manager for Plant Arkwright, told meeting attendees. “They include dust control plans, we’ve got dewatering plans and regulations that we have to comply with the EPD, and so, we’ve worked through all those aspects of the project, submitted those to EPD, and they’re approving us for this.”
The coal ash movement plan represents part of Georgia Power’s long-term efforts to comply with environmental regulations and reduce potential groundwater contamination, the utility giant said in a released statement.
Coal ash, a byproduct of burning coal for electricity, has remained at the Plant Arkwright site (1941-2002) since the plant ceased operations in 2002. Plant Branch closed in 2016 and also maintains several coal ash ponds off-limits to the public.
Under federal rules established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, utilities are required to close or remediate coal ash ponds that may pose risks to groundwater. These regulations have driven cleanup efforts across the country, including Georgia Power’s broader coal ash management program, which is expected to cost approximately $8.5 billion statewide over the next 10 to 15 years.
At Plant Arkwright, the ash will be excavated and transported to Plant Branch in Milledgeville, where it will be recycled for use in concrete and cement production. Incorporating coal ash into construction materials is considered a form of “beneficial reuse,” which can reduce the need for new raw materials and limit environmental impacts by stabilizing contaminants within hardened structures.
Coal ash contains toxic metals such as arsenic, lead, and mercury. If not properly managed, these substances can leach into groundwater or nearby waterways. Removing ash from unlined storage ponds and repurposing it as construction material is intended to mitigate those risks while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional cement production.
Transportation of the ash is scheduled to begin in 2027. The operation is expected to involve approximately 30 trucks making repeated trips between Macon and Milledgeville for about 10 hours a day, Monday through Friday. Before hauling begins, Georgia Power plans to make several infrastructure improvements at the Arkwright site, including upgrades to access points, security measures, and work near a nearby railroad crossing.
While the company does not anticipate major disruptions to traffic along Arkwright Road, the increased truck activity is expected to have a direct impact on neighboring properties. Company representatives emphasized that safety considerations are central to the project, particularly regarding truck traffic entering and exiting the site.
To address environmental concerns during the removal process, Georgia Power plans to implement multiple dust control measures, including covering trucks with tarps and using water sprays to prevent ash from becoming airborne. Additionally, an on-site water treatment system will manage rainwater and other liquids within the ash ponds. Treated water will be tested and discharged into the river in accordance with state-issued permits.
Project plans, including dust suppression and dewatering strategies, have been submitted to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division for review and approval as part of the regulatory process.
Revenue generated from recycling the coal ash is expected to help offset some of the costs associated with closing the ponds, though specific financial projections have not been disclosed.
The project at Plant Arkwright is one of several similar efforts underway across the region as utilities, such as Georgia Power works to address legacy coal ash storage sites and comply with evolving environmental standards.