Shari Meghreblian

Environmental concerns at fossil plant must be addressed in a systematic, scientific manner.

The Tennessee Valley Authority Gallatin Fossil Plant has burned coal to generate electricity for over 50 years.

As a result, there are millions of tons of coal ash buried in the ground or stored in water treatment ponds at the site.

Although we know that coal ash constituents can be found in ground water below the plant, it is also critical to know if, and to what extent, these constituents pose a risk to human health and the environment.

To make that determination we must have a “complete picture” of the current local geology and hydrogeology in the area.

The remedial actions that are taken must, first and foremost, protect local citizens and the environment. They must be scientifically based and effective.

In January 2015, the attorney general, acting on behalf of the Department of Environment and Conservation, filed suit in state court against TVA.

The state’s action requires TVA to, among other things, determine the full extent of coal ash contamination.

Gallatin water tests don't detect harmful chemical

TVA has already provided nearly 100,000 pages of documents containing historical information about the construction, operation and disposal of coal ash at the site.

TVA has also provided some groundwater monitoring data collected from wells on the Gallatin plant property. Every action TDEC or EPA takes to clean up contaminated properties involves three key steps: (1) a detailed assessment of the nature and extent of any contamination and its potential impact on public health and the environment; (2) assessment of potentially viable corrective action measures; and (3) implementation of any corrective actions at the site.

This has been the process used to clean up old landfills and sites like Bridgestone Arena or Nissan Stadium.

It is also consistent with EPA’s recent coal ash rules and the action TDEC took this summer at TVA’s other plants in the state.

It is neither safe, nor environmentally responsible to require TVA to “just dig the coal ash up and move it.”

State orders TVA to investigate coal ash disposal sites

Many questions must be answered before remedial actions are chosen.

For instance: Is removal of the coal ash from the Gallatin site feasible? Does removal itself pose risk of releases of coal ash to the air and water? If removal is the chosen remedial action, how would the ash be removed? Where would it be safely disposed?

Developing a complete picture of the TVA Gallatin site is critical to the selection of the most effective environmental remedial action plan.

Therefore, on Dec. 15, the state and TVA filed an agreed order requiring TVA to perform significant and comprehensive actions crucial to the state’s determination of appropriate corrective action.

This approach will ensure that the corrective action taken provides the best solution possible to protect both the environment and public health and safety.

Shari Meghreblian, Ph.D., is the deputy commissioner for the Bureau of Environment of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.