Alabama intends to close their coal ash pit at Gaston Steam Plant using cap-in-place. This hearing is about the plant's Clean Water Act, or National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), permit, which they need to start the cap-in-place process. The NPDES permit program addresses water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants to our waters. This permit will allow Alabama Power to discharge wastewater from the coal ash pit into our rivers in preparation for cap-in-place. It's critical that the permit is strong to protect the Coosa River and downstream communities, environment, and economies.