The remaining 2.5 million cubic yards of ash from TVA's 5.4 million cubic yard Kingston ash spill will remain onsite, according to a TVA plan approved today by EPA.
The cleanup plan calls for the removal and consolidation of ash from the Swan Pond embayment into a "re-engineered TVA coal ash disposal area." The work will take four years and cost about $268.2 million, which includes an estimated $686,000 in annual maintenance costs for the first 30 years once the cleanup is complete.
TVA and EPA officials said the plan eliminates potential impacts associated with off-site disposal and eliminates the risks and costs associated with shipping ash over public roads or by rail.
Residents say it is "disheartening" for the community.