TVA To Hold Training Exercise at Colbert Fossil Plant
May 2, 2006
TUSCUMBIA, Ala. – TVA will conduct a training exercise involving TVA’s Environmental Response Team, TVA boats and spill response equipment on the Tennessee River at Colbert Fossil Plant Thursday, May 4.
Using computer modeling to predict movement on the river, TVA will simulate an oil spill at the Colbert plant to test existing response procedures and field tactics. The training is part of a series of annual exercises TVA conducts as part of its participation in the National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program.
The exercise is expected to last all day and will involve the U. S. Coast Guard, Environmental Protection Agency, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Colbert County Emergency Management Agency and other members of the emergency response community.
Equipment trailers and other vehicles may be parked at the Cane Creek boat ramp during the exercise, but it will remain open for public use.
During the exercise, TVA’s Environmental Response Team will deploy boats and equipment used to contain and clean up an oil spill on the water. The spill is simulated on a computer, and no oil or other contaminant will be put in the water for the drill. The computer simulates where and how fast the oil would travel, taking into account river currents, wind, and evaporation.
TVA conducts exercises annually in compliance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. TVA conducts the exercises at its six combustion turbine generating sites, which use fuel oil.
TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financing with revenues of $7.8 billion in 2005. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 8.6 million consumers in seven southeastern states. TVA also manages the Tennessee River and its tributaries to provide multiple benefits, including flood damage reduction, navigation, water quality and recreation.
Media Contact
Terry Johnson, (423) 751-6875
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000
