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

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) tried to dodge blame for the coal ash spill that destroyed homes and damaged property near its Kingston, Tenn., coal-firing plant, according to a report released by the utility’s Inspector General.

The December 22, 2008, spill dumped 1.1 billion gallons of toxic coal ash on to 300 acres of rural community and into the Emory River. Since the spill, the TVA has been involved in a massive cleanup, expected to cost the utility nearly a $1 billion before it is complete.

“It appears the TVA management made a conscious decision to present to the public only facts that supported an absence of liability for TVA for the Kingston spill, says Richard Moore, the utility’s Inspector General who wrote the report. TVA CEO Tom Kilgore in a written statement denied the agency was involved in a cover up.

The report also brings into question the structural integrity of other TVA coal storage sites. “There is reasonable risk of other dike failures if changes are not made in the design, construction, oversight, and operation of the wet disposal sites throughout TVA,” the report states.

The Inspector General’s report puts the blame for the spill on TVA management, arguing that it should have taken measures to address issues regarding the problems identified at the Kingston site that were raised previously in two separate reports, dated1985 and 2004. The report contends that “necessary systems, controls, standards and culture were not in place” at the TVA.

Moore testifies this week before the House Committee on Water and Infrastructure subcommittee.

Read the Inspector General’s Report.

Source: Tennessean
Additional News: Huntsville Times/Associated Press

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