Beth Gross, Ph.D., P.E., D.GE, F.ASCE (Texas) served as Lead Principal Investigator and John Seymour, P.E. (Illinois) served as Co-Principal Investigator for the "Alternative Cover Systems for Coal Combustion Residuals Landfills and Surface Impoundments" Technical Report 2017 for the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).

Beth is a Senior Principal Geotechnical Engineer with more than 25 years of experience focused on environmental site characterization and management, as well as siting, design, permitting, operations, construction, and closure of waste management facilities for municipal, industrial, and hazardous wastes, low-level radioactive waste, and remediation waste. Beth is a national expert regarding disposal area alternative cover systems.

John is a Senior Principal Civil Engineer with over 30 years of experience focused on coal combustion residuals landfills and surface impoundments, site remediation, deep foundation engineering, and construction management. His clients include major electric utilities based in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states as well as PRP groups.

The EPRI conducts research, development, and demonstration projects for the benefit of the public in the United States and internationally. As an independent, nonprofit organization for public interest, energy, and environmental research, EPRI focuses on electricity generation, delivery, and use in collaboration with the electricity sector, its stakeholders and others to enhance the quality of life by making electric power safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible.

Abstract:

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) final rule for Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) from Electric Utilities (the CCR Rule) contains requirements for the design of final cover systems for landfills and surface impoundments closed in place. It includes minimum quantitative requirements for a prescriptive final cover system that incorporates a low-hydraulic-conductivity barrier layer. The CCR Rule also includes performance requirements for an equivalency demonstration of an alternative final cover system.

The focus of this guidance document is on the state-of-the-practice for selection and design of common types of alternative cover systems that can be used at CCR sites. It includes general guidance for use of these cover systems along with a description of modeling and monitoring approaches that have been used to demonstrate alternative cover system equivalency regarding infiltration control. A summary of the findings of field tests performed under the EPA Alternative Cover Assessment Program (ACAP) is also provided.

More Information

Learn more about the Technical Report: https://www.epri.com/#/pages/product/000000003002010902/?lang=en
Learn more about the EPRI: https://www.epri.com/#/?lang=en
Learn more about Beth at: https://www.geosyntec.com/people/beth-gross  
Contact Beth at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
Learn more about John at: https://www.geosyntec.com/people/john-seymour
Contact John at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.