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Sierra Club Lawsuits

Sierra Club and Allies Take Action to Protect Public Health and the Environment in Tennessee

Case Updates:

September 3, 2009

On September 24, 2009, a coalition of groups, including Sierra Club, took action to stop Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) from releasing toxic metals into Tennessee’s waterways. Sierra Club, Environmental Integrity Project, Appalachian Voices, United Mountain Defense, and Defenders of Wildlife sent a letter to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, asking the Department to regulate coal combustion waste discharges from three TVA-owned coal-fired power plants in the state. The three coal plants—the Bull Run Fossil Plant, the John Sevier Fossil Plant, and the Johnsonville Fossil plant—are currently in violation of their Clean Water Act water discharge permits. The plants’ permits have expired, and the facilities are releasing dangerous levels of toxic metals, such as mercury, arsenic, and selenium into public waters.  

These toxic metals pose a serious threat to public health and the environment, and Sierra Club and its allies are urging the Department to require TVA to install the best available technology to prevent further degradation of Tennessee’s waterways.

Details and Documents:

Sierra Club et al. Letter to Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
September 24, 2009