Questioning TVA’s claims about coal ash toxins in the water

TVA compares coal ash pollutants to a bottle of vitamins?

The Tennesseean's Tom Wilemon investigates TVA's claims about the safety of its coal ash storage. In the story TVA spokesperson compares the coal ash pollutants leaking into the Cumberland River to a bottle of vitamins, even though he admits that arsenic (a toxin known to cause cancer) is being discharged from the Gallatin power plant outside of Nashville. 

TVA claims that the amount of arsenic released is too small to matter, that the ponds storing coal ash waste aren't leaking and that they withstood the 2010 flood without any problems. But the Tennessean points out that TVA's own memos, other government records and independent tests contradict those statements.

Watch the video and read the full article “Arsenic in water from coal ash at center of TVA dispute” in The Tennesseean (by Tom Wilemon on March 2, 2015)

Read more about TVA's coal ash in the The Tennesseean by Tom Wilemon:

• Learn about the 7 Things to know about coal ash in Gallatin (March 2, 2015)
• Read the article “TDEC, environmental groups uneasy partners in court” (February 28, 2015)

• Read the article “Groups join lawsuit to protect Nashville drinking water” (February 5, 2015)

Learn more about SELC's lawsuit against TVA:

• Read SELC's press release “Conservation Groups Seek Clean Up of TVA’s Coal Ash Pollution in the Cumberland River“
• Read SELC's press release “Conservation Groups File Notice Against Tenn. Valley Authority Over Coal Ash Pollution at Gallatin Plant“