"The Kingston / TVA Coal Ash Spill: Historical Perspectives on a 21st Century Challenge,"
From the KNS …
"Lectures / Discussion
Dr. Mark Banker - "The Kingston / TVA Coal Ash Spill: Historical Perspectives on a 21st Century Challenge," 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, Bethel Presbyterian Church, 203 S. Kentucky St., Kingston. Free. Church hosting fellowship dinner at 6:30. Bring a dish. Info: 865-376-6340 or e-mail Mark_Banker@webbschool.org."

"No matter what the findings are — it was an embarrassment."
Although this AP report deteriorates into the TVA line at the end, it hints at things I hadn't seen before.
"(UT prof.) Tschantz (Sp?) added: 'No matter what the findings are — it was an embarrassment.'"
"University of Tennessee professor emeritus Bruce Tschantz, an expert in hydrology and dam safety engineering, is on (a) panel, which was briefed on the report a few weeks ago."
"A panel of engineering and environmental experts formed by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is waiting to review the AECOM report."
"TVA hired engineering consultants AECOM USA Inc. to study the cause."
(link...)
... Bruce Tschantz, a University of Tennessee professor who developed the first dam safety office in the Federal Emergency Management Agency ...
Dr. Bruce A. Tschantz' Home Page
(link...)

Choking on ash by Anderson Cooper from CNN

The story: (link...)

TVA Ash Loading Test Evaluation_052809 report is available on EPA OSC site
(link...)
also
Transmittal Cover for Regulatory Submittal - Rail Spur Construction Work Plan Signed Version
(link...)

If Kingston had ash in their water intake, what was going on at the Rockwood water intake that really is downstream?
Just curious.

Here are the URL and an HTML file or three to the TVA TDEC files
The posts are on line at:
(link...)
The TVA00000001 type numbers are page numbers. The file name is often the first page of a multi page file.
I had to make an index or table of content file in html.
To use the HTML files:
Download to someplace you will be able to find them, like your desktop.
In your browser, pulldown the "file" tab to "open"
Click on "browse". Find and double click on the name of the HTML file, or click on the file and "OK"
Click on "OK" or "OPEN" in the file open dialog box.
any problems call four one five nine 0 two nine six, six six
If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer 7, it will open a new window with the index, but the TVA .pdf files may be displayed in the original window. If this bothers you, try downloading IE8.
I got lazy and put the last two data releases 2009 Apr 10 and 2009 Apr 16 in separate HTML files.
There are some files on the TDEC site that aren't on the TVA site.
If you know exactly what you are looking for, please comment with your request.
Thanks
WC has my respect for staying on top off the fact pile on the ash pile. TVA seems to have stacked the data as carefully as they stacked the ash.
Sorry if this sounds stiff, I just got up.
Charlie

BLACK TIDE from GQ Magazine
I'd seen the community discuss bringing the gentleman from GQ to attempt to see the ash, but in all my searches, I had never seen the article…
(link...)

"Just days before Christmas last year, an environmental disaster one hundred times the size of the Exxon Valdez (yes, you read that right) unfolded on a riverbank in eastern Tennessee. A wave of poisonous sludge buried a town…along with the myth of clean coal "
By Sean Flynn; Photograph by Christopher LaMarca

Could we become the next California Gold rush?
Could it be?
Turn our ash into gold?
Our mess into the Tash Mahal?
Or maybe just it's tile floor, ceiling, porcelain, cool roofs, cladding, and paving stones too.
We could cover it all.
Even for you.

Here's a company that could do it.
Maybe talks are talking?
I may just buy a stock or two.
Is it the company that would be interested in us?
We'll just have to wait and believe.

Golden Bear Ceramics Company: (link...)

Emgold Mining Compamy (parent): (link...)

There was a question last night at the Long Term Recovery Meeting... About the Duke University Test Results on Water and Ash at the TVA Disaster site: Well... here is you answer...

and the link.....

A report by Duke University scientists who analyzed water and ash samples from last month’s coal sludge spill in eastern Tennessee concludes that “exposure to radium- and arsenic-containing particulates in the ash could have severe health implications” in the affected areas.

"Duke research scientist Gary Dwyer analyzed the water samples for trace metal content using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Following preliminary analysis, the solid ash samples were incubated and underwent more detailed analysis of their radioactive content using gamma spectrometry.

The Duke researchers received no funding from the group or any other external party. All funding was provided by the [Duke University] Nicholas School, Vengosh said, “to maintain total impartiality in our analysis.”

here's the DUKE UNIVERSITY Link:
(link...)

I've heard at least 2 people who live out my way (south of Rockwood in Roane County) say that they are looking at Spring City merchants down in Rhea County for their grocery and shopping needs rather than brave the ash dust issues by driving up to Midtown or Harriman.

Has anyone else seen any of this trend? If this continues it does not bode well for Roane County merchants and sales tax coffers.

January 4, 2009

January 4, 2009

January 4, 2009

January 4, 2009