Widows Creek Revisited -- Institute for Southern Studies Report -- Hexavalent chromium pollution linked to coal ash disposal

Fair Use Rights not for profit usage - photo by "creekkeeper" Photo by Hurricane Creek Keeper John Waltham - South Wings Aviation.

Fair Use Rights not for profit usage - photo by "hccreekkeeper" Photo by Hurricane Creek Keeper John Waltham - South Wings Aviation.

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Widows Creek coal ash and gypsum pond spill, January 9, 2009 at the TVA's Widow Creek coal fired plant. TVA officials denied the existence of the coal ash existed downstream. TVA officials attempted to downplay the extent of the spill. Going so far to report to the Tennessean Newspaper in Nashville, Tn., "the photo's which Morgan has presented are not coal ash from Widows Creek or Kingston, we do not know what it is as most of what was released was water." The TVA not only knew the spill was coal ash but has intentionally misled the public as to the extent of the danger as a result of the spill.

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A report released this month from the Institute of Southern Studies reveals shocking news that hexavalent chromium was released and present at 73 times the EPA safe level. ISS - Hexavalent chromium pollution linked to coal ash disposal

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Source Watch article on the Widows Creek spill: http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=TVA_Widows_Creek_coal_waste_spill

photo by G. Morgan

17 miles downstream at Bellefonte Landing the grey coating could be found. The sludge extended under the surface for 15-30 feet beyond the shoreline.

photo by G. Morgan

Pictures documenting the extent of the Widows Creek Spill.

Fair Use Rights not for profit usage - Photo by Hurricane Creek Keeper John Waltham - South Wings Aviation.

"The very highest level of hexavalent chromium -- 7,370 parts per billion -- leached from the coal ash produced at TVA's Widows Creek facility, where a 2009 spill released some 10,000 gallons of coal ash waste into the Tennessee River. That level is more than 73 times the federal drinking water standard of 100 ppb for total chromium." (ISS Report Feb 3, 2011)

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Widows Creek Spill info on this blog: http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/TVA%20Coal%20Ash%20Spill
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ISS - Hexavalent chromium pollution linked to coal ash disposal