I SAY: TVA fly ash doesn't fly ... yet

Opinion

Related Photos

May 7, 2009

By Michael R. Moser / mmoser@crossville-chronicle.com The Crossville Chronicle Thu May 07, 2009, 04:15 PM CDT

I will be the first to admit that what I know about fly ash could be placed in a thimble but I do have a bit of common sense and enough of it to fear this trojan horse that TVA is trying to give to Cumberland County.

Common sense also tells me to not be against something, just because I don't like the sound of it. But that same logic tells me I am going to have to be sold on the idea that it is a good plan to haul fly ash from the TVA environmental disaster at the Kingston Steam Plant and dump it in a coal mine and a rock quarry in Cumberland County.

My knee jerk reaction comes in the form of two questions: if this is such a good idea, why doesn't TVA keep the stuff and put it on some of the thousands of acres it owns? And, since Roane County has enjoyed the taxes paid by TVA for the Kingston plant, why doesn't Roane County keep the fly ash?

If this is a good thing for Cumberland County, then it will be equally good for TVA and Roane County.

We are told the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's representative this week told citizens that the fly ash is not toxic, unless it becomes airborne.

Isn't this the same agency charged with the responsibility of looking after the public's interest when it came to the safety of the dam that broke and dumped fly ash into the Clinch River and onto surrounding property?

On the other hand, we have read that, "In 2000, the United States Environmental Protection Agency‎ (EPA) said that coal fly ash did not need to be regulated as a hazardous waste.

"Studies by the U.S. Geological Survey and others of radioactive elements in coal ash have concluded that fly ash compares with common soils or rocks and should not be the source of alarm. "However, community and environmental organizations have documented numerous environmental contamination and damage concerns."

I have read fly ash is used in the making of Portland cement, grout and asphalt concrete. Sounds pretty harmless there. Or is it like asbestos and foolish?

I discard the argument that this proposal would eventually create badly needed jobs for Cumberland County.

I agree that the jobs are badly needed, but doubt many Cumberland Countians would actually benefit from this. The trucking contractor said this week he has about 150 drivers laid off at this time. This plan would create approximately 100 new jobs. Who do you think those jobs will go to?

I am told we are a long way off from seeing this proposal a reality so it might do us all well to step back, take a deep breath, and do our homework.

Those who say this is an environmental disaster waiting to happen need to prove their case in the Cumberland County court of public opinion before actual hearings take place.

Those who think this is a grand idea that will be a boon to the economy of the county without future environmental dangers need to do the same.

In the meantime, I am withholding judgment until someone can convince me, one way or the other.

Text Only

Opinion

Gary's World: The magical Star Wars summer of '77
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

May 24, 2012
Lion and the Lamb: When politics and religion meet
Several wealthy contributors to the Republican presidential campaign are once again trying to figure out how they can use a video clip containing three words that the Rev. Jeremiah Wright used in a sermon on April 13, 2003. Wright, now retired, had been pastor of the 6,600-member Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago when Barack Obama was a member there.

May 22, 2012
Random Thoughts: Returning vets fight fire
Cemeteries are given special attention this week in preparation for Memorial Day next Monday. During the Civil War gracious ladies of the south laid flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers from both sides. The custom spread across the country and was called Decoration Day until the early 20th century.

May 22, 2012
Tidbits: Finding more time in your day
If we had another two hours in every day, we'd all probably still be begging for just a little bit more to get all our stuff done before that clock strikes midnight and it's game over.

May 21, 2012
Stumptalk: Hooray for the innovators
In his brilliant article in the Free Market, Daniel Sanchez says, “There will always be a one-percent. The well-being of the 99-percent depends on who makes up the 1-percent: innovative entrepreneurs or the state and its cronies. This in turn depends on the ideologies adopted by the 99-percent.” This is the way societies have always been organized and always will be.

May 21, 2012
GARY'S WORLD: Graduates, create your own opportunities
Time flies. One day you have a baby boy who is fascinated with stuffed Miss Piggy and Kermit rattles and the next day he wants to wear his cowboy boots and hat with every outfit no matter what the occasion. Before you know it, he's playing in the elementary school band, going into high school, learning how to drive, driving to school, going to prom and graduating.

May 17, 2012
RANDOM THOUGHTS: Truly a January in May
“It’s June in January” became a popular standard after Bing Crosby introduced the song in 1934. A strange thing happened last week. I call it a tale of ‘It’s January in May.’

May 15, 2012
LION AND THE LAMB: Our challenged nation
Three major social justice issues have been a source of contention in our nation over the years, and interestingly, each of them has involved the subject of equality.

May 15, 2012
WE THE PEOPLE: Repressing the ‘Grapes of Wrath’
Sometimes a hole appears, ever so briefly, in the curtain that hides the plans of those who control our government. One such opening occurred when Alan Greenspan testified to the Federal Reserve Board on Feb. 26, 1997. During that testimony, Greenspan revealed that “worker insecurity” was (in his view) a boon to the economy, allowing productivity to increase without causing workers to demand increased earnings.

May 15, 2012
TIDBITS: Never stop moving forward, grads
This week is a week of celebration. According to my files of graduating seniors, Cumberland County will see more than 550 students earning their high school diplomas this week. Now, those youngsters will venture out into the world, armed with the knowledge and character instilled in them by their parents, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, teachers, principals, classmates, coaches and others.

May 14, 2012
More Opinion Headlines

Opinion

Search Results

Related Photos

I SAY: TVA fly ash doesn't fly ... yet

Site Map

Contact Us