Vegetated long-term solution for fly ash landfill capping project Integrating turf reinforcement mats to control erosion and protect containment structure. By Kevin Boyce I n 2019, a coal-fired power plant in Illinois was scheduled to be retired. The decision to close the plant was made to address the recently approved revisions to the Multi-Pollutant Standards rule from the Illinois Pollution Control Board. As a part of the plant retirement, the owners laid out a plan for the permanent closure of the two ash ponds located on the property. This project is a terrific example of how turf reinforcement mats (TRMs) can be integrated as part of a vegetated solution. TRMs provide long-term protection and a host of other benefits (see Figure 1). Background In 1976, the Duck Creek Power Plant was commissioned to supply power to the surrounding area. The power plant was a bituminous coal facility generating 441 megawatts (MW) of energy. The plant was owned by Ameren, an Illinois power company, until March 2013 when it was purchased by Dynegy, which later merged with Vistra Corp. Ash ponds are also known as surface impoundments or ash basins. They are engineered containment structures typically located on the sites of fossil fuel power plants. Details of the two ponds at this site are provided in Figure 2. These structures are designed for the disposal of two types of waste byproduct: bottom ash and fly ash (see Figure 3). These waste products are generated PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS TRMS WITH RECYCLED FIBERS HELP CONTAIN FLY ASH OWNER Vistra LOCATION Canton, Ill. CONTRACTOR Envirocon CONSTRUCTION COMPANY Central Landscaping ENGINEERS Civil and Environmental Consultants GEO PRODUCT Recyclex TRM-V GEO MANUFACTURER American Excelsior Company Kevin Boyce received his undergraduate degree from Purdue University and MBA from the University of Indianapolis and has worked with American Excelsior for the last four years with a commitment to protecting soil and water resources. GeosyntheticsMagazine.com 15http://www.GeosyntheticsMagazine.com