Davis may call for EPA to be in charge of TVA ash spill cleanup
WATE, Channel 6, ABC, Knoxville
Transcript
March 31, 2009

Good evening, a story happening right now that once again brings the Roane County ash spill to the forefront in Washington.

It has now been 100 days since coal ash spilled from the TVA fossil plant in Kingston covering the area with more than a billion gallons of toxic sludge. Well today, officials from TVA are answering lawmakers' questions about the cleanup and whether TVA is even on the right course. Six news reporter Harlow Sumerford has the very latest from today's hearings. He joins us live in the news room.

[CUT TO HARLOW SUMERFORD]Hi, Gene, well we've been watching the hearings all day from the news room. Including comments from Congressman Lincoln Davis. Now remember this happened in his district. Davis believes TVA is doing everything they can to properly clean up the spill, but he told the committee he expects three things from TVA. First, that they work with the Army Corps of Engineers, EPA and the local community to make sure all laws are followed during the process. Second, Davis wants the community to know exactly what is going on. TVA findings should be made public. And, third, and most importantly, if TVA does not cooperate he said he would support the EPA stepping in and becoming the lead agency in charge of the clean up. If this were to happen a czar would be appointed to hold TVA accountable. END

[CUT TO VIDEO OF U.S. REP. LINCOLN DAVIS] "I want these findings to be made public so that every rate payer and lawmaker alike can take part in our effort to ensure that this never happens again." END

[CUT TO HARLOW SUMERFORD] Now, Congressman Davis along with Congressman Jimmy Duncan said some people are trying to wrongfully profit from this spill. They urged fellow lawmakers not to use this tragic event to push an anti coal political agenda. TVA did make a brief statement during the hearing, but did not have time to answer questions. TVA will be sending us that statement and we will have more from TVA a little later on. Live from the news room Harlow Sumerford, six news. END

Now a number of residents testifying at today's hearing, including Sarah McCoin, who lives in Harriman. McCoins says while some residents are satisfied with TVA's response, many others are not.

[CUT TO VIDEO OF SARAH MCCOIN] "Many families fear that they are poisoning their children by remaining in their homes and they do not have the resources to pay for testing on those children. They need help, they need answers and we are hoping to obtain that." END

Now McCoin is a member of the Tennessee Coal Ash Survivors Network, she's told Congress today that she has no lawsuits pending against TVA.