TVA, EPA Sign Agreement on Site Clean-up at Kingston

May 11, 2009

KINGSTON, Tenn. - TVA and the federal Environmental Protection Agency announced today an EPA Order and Agreement that documents the relationship between TVA and EPA in managing the clean-up of the Kingston ash spill and further ensures that TVA will meet all federal and state environmental requirements in restoring affected areas.

EPA has been involved in recovery efforts since the ash spill occurred in December 2008. Under this agreement, TVA recognizes EPA’s role and specialized expertise in responding to large-scale environmental clean-ups.

“This agreement will continue the collaborative work between EPA, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and TVA, using EPA’s expertise under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA),” said TVA Senior Vice President of Office of  Environment & Research Anda Ray. “All of the agencies involved have a common goal, to meet the nation’s highest standards for effectiveness, transparency, and public involvement.”

While TVA will retain its status as a lead federal agency, EPA will approve all work plans and schedules moving forward.

Applying CERCLA, a federal law, will ensure that response actions necessary to protect public health and welfare and the environment are carried out at Kingston. CERCLA also provides a structured approach to community involvement in the clean-up,
and TVA and EPA will continue working closely with the community throughout the restoration effort.

By working jointly, TVA and EPA can ensure an expeditious clean-up effort while protecting public health and safety.

Under the order, TVA will set-up a reading room where all official documents, plans and schedules related to the recovery effort will be available for public viewing. TVA has already begun work on a Community Involvement Plan (CIP), as part of the CERCLA, which will continue to keep people in Kingston and Roane County informed. The CIP will explain how TVA will involve the public in decisions relating to the ash release on land and in the Swan Pond embayment and the eventual use of the land after the clean-up.

For continued updates on the recovery efforts and to review official documents go to www.tva.com/kingston.

TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financing. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 9 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.

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Barbara Martocci, Knoxville, (865) 632-8632
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000

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