Thursday, October 21, 2010
VA Coal-Burning Power Plants OK'd
KENTUCKY...
A review has found that half of 24 ash ponds at the Tennessee Valley Authority's coal-burning power plants meet the minimum criteria for stability.
However, officials said none of the ash holding ponds had the characteristics that caused the impoundment at the Kingston Fossil Plant in East Tennessee to burst in December 2008.
The assessment obtained on Wednesday said TVA is working to improve the others. Shortcomings at several plants included seepage from the walls of the dikes that hold back the damp coal ash, but the review said none posed any immediate threat.
Environmentalists said TVA should study the ponds' seismic stability and questioned the timing of the study.
A review has found that half of 24 ash ponds at the Tennessee Valley Authority's coal-burning power plants meet the minimum criteria for stability.
However, officials said none of the ash holding ponds had the characteristics that caused the impoundment at the Kingston Fossil Plant in East Tennessee to burst in December 2008.
The assessment obtained on Wednesday said TVA is working to improve the others. Shortcomings at several plants included seepage from the walls of the dikes that hold back the damp coal ash, but the review said none posed any immediate threat.
Environmentalists said TVA should study the ponds' seismic stability and questioned the timing of the study.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 3:16 PM 
