Santee Cooper removes last of coal ash stored in coal ash ponds in Conway

CONWAY, S.C. (WPDE) — Santee Cooper said sayonara to coal ash.

Monday morning, Santee Cooper hauled the last load of coal ash out of their coal ash ponds in Conway.

It's a milestone for the electric company. They started removing the ash ponds at the former Grainger Generating Station in Conway five years ago and then expedited the ash removal after Hurricane Florence.

During the hurricane, Santee Cooper had to secure 200,000 tons of coal ash to prevent flood risk.

"It's exciting because we don't have any more ash to worry about, especially on the eve of hurricane season," said Tracy Vreeland, Santee Cooper.

Most of the removed coal ash is being reused by cement companies.

Santee Cooper will continue to remove any remaining ash from dikes that surrounded the coal ash ponds. The Department of Health and Environmental Control will then test the soil to make sure the area is clean.