Enabling responsible coal plant closure through sustainable decommissioning and reclamation

As organizations transition their electricity systems, they face the complex challenge of safely decommissioning and reclaiming coal-fired power assets while managing long-term environmental liabilities, regulatory compliance and cost certainty. Closure requires a coordinated approach to addressing legacy infrastructure, ash management systems, water and wastewater facilities, landfills and potentially impacted soils and groundwater. 

Each site within a portfolio can present unique technical and regulatory considerations, yet there is a need for a consistent, defensible methodology that can be applied across multiple locations. This challenge is compounded by the requirement to update existing decommissioning and reclamation plans to reflect current site conditions, evolving regulatory frameworks that vary from province/state to province/state, and future cost exposure associated with closure, demolition and reclamation activities. 

In parallel, opportunities can be explored to reduce decommissioning scope and cost through forward-looking approaches, including the potential beneficial reuse of existing infrastructure. These strategies must still meet post-closure performance expectations, environmental protection goals and stakeholder requirements. Achieving this balance requires a holistic understanding of engineering, environmental risk, regulatory considerations and long-term land use planning.

We are delivering decommissioning and reclamation plans using comprehensive, integrated approaches that align environmental responsibility with practical engineering solutions. Project scopes include detailed existing conditions assessments, inventories of infrastructure designated for demolition and evaluations of environmental conditions requiring management throughout the decommissioning process. 
 
Working across disciplines, the team develops detailed estimates of probable cost to support a clear understanding of future closure liabilities. This work incorporates standard engineering practices and addresses plant structures, carbon capture facilities, water and wastewater systems, ash management infrastructure, support buildings, cooling systems, and associated ponds, reservoirs and sedimentation basins. 

As part of the options assessment phase, forward-looking strategies focused on beneficial reuse is implemented. By evaluating ash lagoons, impacted media, water treatment systems and demolition materials, opportunities can be identified to reduce decommissioning effort, minimize environmental impact and enhance long-term value. Leveraging commonalities across sites enables consistent yet tailored solutions. 

We also develop regulatory requirements plans; outlining applicable authorization pathways that may influence closure strategies, schedules and costs. This provides a clear, defensible roadmap to support compliant and efficient site closure.

The updated decommissioning and reclamation plans provide a technically robust foundation to manage closure responsibly and cost-effectively. By integrating engineering, environmental, and regulatory considerations, these demolition and reclamation planning projects improve certainty around future liabilities and support informed decision-making. 

Including beneficial reuse options enhances the sustainability of decommissioning strategies, reducing environmental footprint, greenhouse gas impacts and unnecessary demolition where viable alternatives exist. This approach supports regulatory acceptance and aligns closure activities with broader environmental and community objectives. 

Ultimately, decommissioning and reclamation plans enable a well-managed transition away from coal generation, safeguards environmental outcomes and supports evolving energy systems. This holistic, forward-looking planning approach helps site closures contribute positively to long-term land stewardship and responsible resource management.