TVA Coal Ash - Before and After

TVA coal ash disaster on December 22, 2008. A TVA coal ash containment "pond" collapsed in Harriman, TN spilling a reported 1 BILLION gallons of toxic waste into an unsuspecting residential neighborhood. This is the largest toxic coal ash spill in United States history.

My parents, my sister, friends and family, they've all been devasted.

I made this video for my parents, their neighbors and their attorney to show what life was like on the river before the TVA disaster and after. What was once a beautiful oasis is now a disgusting toxic ashtray.

I emailed the video to my parents on Monday night. Then, I went upstairs to watch a little tv and went to bed. By the time I woke the next morning, the video I had e-mailed to my parents had been viewed over 700 times. I had 84 e-mails in my inbox and a message from Erin Brockovich.

That's the power of the internet, baby.

What I read and hear from TVA officials is discouraging. The aftermath of this disaster is significant and long-reaching. It's apparent that some of the folks at TVA just don't 'get it.'

The water is not "okay" and the disaster wasn't just "bad luck" and, no, the EPA is not getting readings of high arsenic levels due to the measurements they use. In fact, the EPA is getting readings of high arsenic levels because there's arsenic. At high levels. In the water.

The people of this community need solutions, not rhetoric. They need action, not action plans with no deadline. And, obviously, TVA needs oversight, not deference.

If you share my outrage, please share this video.

News footage came from Knoxnews, Chloe White of Knoxnews, and NBC. Photos were provided by local residents. Music in the video is the beautiful "Like a Star" by Corinne Bailey Rae and "Unstoppable" by E.S. Posthumus.

If you have additional photos or documentation concerning the TVA breach, please contact me. I am working on another video and welcome inside information! If you wish to remain anonymous, I can work with that.

Visit me online at www.mysuburblife.com
mgtillyer