Environmental Protection Agency Takes Lead Agency Role in TVA Kingston Fossil Plant CleanupMay 11, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it signed an enforceable agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to oversee the removal of coal ash at the TVA Kingston Fossil Fuel Plant in Roane County, Tennessee.

Under the Administrative Order, which was entered into under the Superfund law, the EPA will oversee the cleanup and TVA will reimburse EPA for its oversight costs.

The order requires that TVA perform a comprehensive cleanup of coal ash from the Emory River and surrounding areas. TVA's work will be subject to review and approval by EPA, in consultation with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), to ensure full compliance with the Superfund law.

Once the removal of the ash is complete, TVA will be required to assess any remaining contamination to determine whether additional actions may be needed.

Congressman Lincoln Davis testified before the House Transportation Committee's Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment in March to discuss the ash-slide at the TVA's Kingston facility. In his testimony, Congressman Davis made it known that if the cleanup did not stay on the right track, that he would call on the Administration to put the EPA formally in charge of the cleanup and name a czar to oversee the progress.

"As a Congressman I want to be sure that every precaution is taken with regards to the health of those living in the area, or for anyone that may be affected by this spill," said Congressman Lincoln Davis. "It is my hope that with the announcement of today's order, the EPA will provide the necessary oversight to see this done right."

Congressman Davis represents the immediate area surrounding the December spill at the Kingston plant. Since the spill, Congressman Davis has met with local leaders, affected families, elected officials, TVA representatives and others to ensure that his constituents are made whole.

Before testifying on the ash-slide in March, Congressman Davis also sent a letter to TVA Chief Executive Tom Kilgore calling for greater transparency in the cleanup process.