Gallatin's Coal Ash Story

Fifty-five years worth of coal ash waste adds up – to over two billion gallons.  And that is what is stored in several coal ash ponds surrounding Tennessee Valley Authorities’ (TVA) Gallatin coal fired power plant. For decades, these ponds have been leaking toxic chemicals into nearby groundwater, threatening public health. Many area residents and environmental groups blame this on The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) weak and unenforced standards. A recent investigation revealed that TVA wanted TDEC to step in to file a lawsuit, in order to…

Coal Ash Stories tours Missouri

Missouri is home to twenty-one coal fired power plants, most of which are in vulnerable floodplains and along our nation’s two largest rivers – the Missouri and the Mississippi. These plants produce 2.68 million tons of coal waste per year ranking the state 16th in the nation for the production of coal waste. Many in Missouri are not happy with the way state regulatory agencies are handling this waste. In December 2014, the federal EPA released coal ash rules which provide guidance and regulatory language for states to adopt and enforce.…