Local News from Roane County, Tennessee- Spilled coal ash carries poisons: Arsenic levels are 149 times the limit for drinking water, according to Environmental Protection Agency results from the first round of tests on river water containing the coal ash sludge that flooded 300 acres of Roane County on Dec. 22. Long-term exposure to the coal ash pose health concerns for humans, as well as for fish stocks and local wildlife. Full story.
- Doctor's orders: relocate from ash spill: A Roane County couple residing one mile from the TVA ash spill does not want to take any chances when it comes to their unborn child. Neither does her OB-GYN, who wrote a note asking TVA to relocate the couple. Full story.
- TVA to spread seed and straw at Kingston spill site: To contain spilled ash from a failed coal ash retention pond, TVA says it will spray seed and straw in a process similar to the one used by highway departments to provide ground cover. After the seed is sprayed, it will appear green in color for about two months. [OMG: Green coal ash!] Full story.
- Officials say they didn't push Roane schools' water plan: Roane County Schools to use bottled water for food preparation when students return to class beginning Monday, January 5. Full story.
- TVA inspection points to prior issues with ash pond: An inspection report released in early 2008 that looked at the fly ash pond where a dike failed at TVA's Kingston Fossil Plant showed inspectors have noted problems at the pond for years. Full story.
- Erin Brockovich to come to Roane County: Environmental law consultant Erin Brockovich expects a class-action lawsuit will come out of the TVA sludge slide. Brockovich was involved in class-action lawsuit that led to a $333 million settlement in the 1990's and inspired the academy award-winning movie "Erin Brockovich," starring Julia Roberts. Audio interview with the real Erin Brockovich is here.
And finally, an Editorial Cartoon from the
Chattanooga Times Free Press:
Perfect!
Perfect!
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