Alexander: Coal ash hearings coming to Tennessee

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander says the Environmental Protection Agency has added Tennessee to the lineup of states where the agency is holding public hearings on proposed coal ash disposal regulations.

The Tennessee Republican’s spokesman, Jim Jeffries, said the hearing will be held in Knoxville. Jeffries said a date has not been set but it will likely be in late October.

An EPA media representative did not immediately return telephone and e-mail messages seeking comment.

Alexander said the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Dec. 2008 coal ash spill in East Tennessee “displaced residents, caused significant environmental damage, and may require up to $1.2 billion in cleanup costs” and the people affected have a unique perspective that would be beneficial to EPA.