Directs the NC Utilities Commission (Commission) to provide an expedited decision concerning an application to construct a generating facility that uses natural gas as the primary fuel. Requires the public utility to submit an estimate of the costs of construction with as much detail as required by the Commission. Requires the Commission to render its decision on such application within 45 days of the date of application if: (1) the application is for a generating facility to be constructed on site at the Asheville Steam Electric Generating Plant, (2) the public utility will cease operations of all coal-fired generating units on or before the commercial operation of the new facility, and (3) the new natural gas-fired facility has no more than twice the generation capacity as the coal-fired units to be retired. States that GS 62-82(a), concerning notice and hearing requirements, does not apply.

Amends Section 3(b) of SL 2014-122 concerning the closure of high priority coal combustion residuals surface impoundments (impoundment), providing that the impoundment located at the Asheville Steam Electric Generating Plant must be closed as soon as practicable but no later than August 1, 2022 (was, no later than August 1, 2019). Makes technical changes. Provides that the requirements of GS 130A-309.210(c) - (f), concerning the prohibition of the discharge of stormwater into impoundments and the required conversion to the disposal of "dry" fly or bottom ash do not apply to impoundments and electric generating facilities at the Asheville Steam Electric Generating Plant. Effective August 1, 2016, if on or before that date the Commission has issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity to Duke Energy Progress for a new natural gas-fired generating facility as specified above, based on notice that Duke Energy Progress will permanently cease operations of all coal-fired generating units at the Asheville Steam Electric Generating Plant no later than January 31, 2020.