By JILL MCNEAL
6 News Anchor/Reporter
CRAB ORCHARD (WATE) -- A plan to dispose of the spilled ash from the Kingston Fossil Plant is creating heated debate in Cumberland County.
The proposal for ash to be trucked in from Roane County to a location north of Crab Orchard was first raised last month.
The Crossville Coal surface mine off Smith Mountain Road is where the ash would be used as landfill.
Wright Brothers Construction Company has an option to buy the mine and fill it with coal ash, if both TVA and county commissioners approve.
"What you see behind you right now is the remains of the coal mining operation," says Wright Brothers Vice President Mitchell Simpson.
He says reclaiming the mine by hauling in fly ash will create about 100 local jobs.
"There are plenty of local truckers up here who are out of work, who need work, and we'd contract with them. The trucks would have tarps and secure tailgates. That's not your standard tarp, it's a real secure tarp," he says.
Still, the mine's neighbors have concerns about that amount of traffic driving up and down their mountain road 12 hours a day, six days a week.
Earl and Flo Tyler have a cabin not far from the mine entrance. They bought the land for the peace and quiet, which they say will disappear if fly ash becomes their neighbor.
"Way back here off the road like we are you'd here truck traffic continually. There'd be the noise, the diesel fumes, but most of all the danger," Earl Tyler says.
Simpson responds, saying, "We do have a plan that's going to upgrade the road. We're going to reduce the amount of curves going up and down the roadway. The trucks are not going to drive fast. There's going to be a posted speed limit of 35."
And he says a special landfill liner will prevent water pollution.
"Where there have been concerns in the past with coal ash contaminating various ground water sources, there hasn't been a lined system, so we're really taking a step above what other facilities have done in the past," he says.
In addition, Simpson estimates the county will get up to $8 million for admitting the ash. He calls the project a win for everybody involved.
"Over here is a site that the coal mine has already reclaimed. At the end of the day, if we bring the fly ash up here, our goal is to have the site looking like that with trees all over it," he says.
If approved, Simpson estimates trucking the fly ash from Roane County to Cumberland County will take about three years.
Cumberland County commissioners will vote on the plan Monday, June 15. A two-thirds majority is needed for approval.
"What you see behind you right now is the remains of the coal mining operation," says Wright Brothers Vice President Mitchell Simpson.
"There'd be the noise, the diesel fumes, but most of all the danger," Earl Tyler says
