Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has paid east Tennessee home and landowners more than $9.5 million to compensate them for damages after the utility’s Kingston, Tennessee coal ash impoundment failed late last year and poured more than a billion gallons of toxic coal ash sludge on to a rural community, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel.

The utility reported that to date, 61 payouts were made to the owners of 40 homes and about 51 properties on 210 acres of the 300 acres affected by the spill. The homes and land acquired by the TVA generated $62,900 a year in Roane County property taxes. Roane County Property Assessor Teresa Kirkham says more parcels of land affected by the spill may be purchased by the utility.

The spill destroyed three homes and damaged a dozen more in the wake. Not just land, but the neighboring Emory River was affected.

The $1 million-a-day cleanup effort is expected to cost the TVA between $525 million and $825 million before it is complete. TVA has vowed to restore the land to its previous condition – if not better condition. However, many property owners are skeptical.

Coal ash may contain dangerous toxins such as arsenic, lead, barium, manganese and chromium which can lead to potential health problems such as cancer, liver damage and neurological complications. Many residents in the area have complained of respiratory problems and at least one child has tested positive for heavy metal.

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