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Coal plant disaster requires response
The recent environmental disaster at the Kingston Fossil Plant, a Tennessee Valley Authority plant near Knoxville, has been characterized as the “Exxon Valdese” of coal ash.
After a wall surrounding one of the plant’s retention areas gave way, sludge spilled into the surrounding region.
First reports said
the size of the spill was an estimated 1.7 million cubic yards—however,
final figures put the size at 5.4 million cubic yards.
To put this into perspective, this was enough coal ash to fill 1,500 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
The Appalachian
recognizes the spill has had disastrous effects on the environment, as
dark gray ash, a byproduct of coal combustion, flowed into the
Tennessee River.
Preliminary water samples taken by Boone’s own Appalachian Voices showed levels of arsenic and other pollutants in the water.
If any contaminated particles become airborne, the residents of the area could suffer long-term health effects.
The Appalachian
believes this disaster makes it even more crucial for the nation to
hold its new president accountable for the energy and environment
policies stressed during the campaign period.
President Barack Obama vowed to both develop and deploy clean coal technology.
The
Department of Energy, under Obama, is to enter into public and private
partnerships with the goal of developing five commercial scale
coal-fired plants that will include clean carbon capture and technology
that will safely store or reuse carbon.
If
implemented, the plan will revolutionize the coal industry, make for a
cleaner environment and hopefully prevent a disaster of such magnitude
as that in Tennessee from happening again.
The Appalachian urges
students, faculty, staff and community members to not lose sight of the
promises our new president made during his campaign.
In
order for these promises to be maximized to their fullest potential,
America must remember to hold our elected leaders accountable.
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