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Kenny Hall, former Vol basketball player is talking about his dealings with a University of Tennessee administrator in trouble for possible inappropriate relationships with student athletes.More >> Kenny Hall, former Vol basketball player is talking about his dealings with a University of Tennessee administrator in trouble for possible inappropriate relationships with student athletes.More >> A Kentucky veteran who was working as a civilian contractor in Afghanistan has died in an explosion in Kabul that killed at least 15 people including six Americans.More >> A Kentucky veteran who was working as a civilian contractor in Afghanistan has died in an explosion in Kabul that killed at least 15 people including six Americans.More >> A gang leader has been sentenced to serve more than 78 years in a federal prison for his role in three armed home invasion robberies in Nashville.More >> A gang leader has been sentenced to serve more than 78 years in a federal prison for his role in three armed home invasion robberies in Nashville.More >> A traffic crash in Memphis has thrown several children out of vehicles near a school.More >> Officials say a morning traffic crash in Memphis injured children who were ejected from a vehicle.More >> With no end in site for the federal sequestration, many attractions in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park remain closed.More >> With no end in site for the federal sequestration, many attractions in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park remain closed.More >> A Southern staple is taking center stage in downtown Knoxville this weekend.More >> A Southern staple is taking center stage in downtown Knoxville this weekend.More >> The co-chair of a local tea party group traveled to Washington D.C. Friday for a hearing on the IRS scandal involving the agency allegedly purposely targeting conservative groups.More >> The co-chair of a local tea party group traveled to Washington D.C. Friday for a hearing on the IRS scandal involving the agency allegedly purposely targeting conservative groups.More >> The Sevier County Sheriff's Department said Stephen Russell, 42, was arrested Friday morning and charged with five counts of aggravated burglary.More >> The Sevier County Sheriff's Department said Stephen Russell, 42, was arrested Friday morning and charged with five counts of aggravated burglary.More >> The Powerball jackpot hits a record high of $600 million and it could go even higher. You have until 9:59 Saturday night to buy your Powerball tickets.More >> The Powerball jackpot hits a record high of $600 million and it could go even higher. You have until 9:59 Saturday night to buy your Powerball tickets.More >> At Tellico Turnings in Monroe County, one local wood-turning artist is turning out some incredible and functional pieces for your home, all made out of local wood.More >> At Tellico Turnings in Monroe County, one local wood-turning artist is turning out some incredible and functional pieces for your home, all made out of local wood.More >>
NASHVILLE (WATE/AP) - A review has found that half of 24 ash ponds at the Tennessee Valley Authority's coal-burning power plants meet the minimum criteria for stability.
However, officials said none of the ash holding ponds had the characteristics that caused the impoundment at the Kingston Fossil Plant to burst in December 2008. An estimated 5.4 million cubic yards of ash and sludge into nearby homes and farmland. Some of the debris also made its way into the Emory River.
The assessment by Stantec, a geotechnical engineering firm, said TVA is working to improve the others.
Shortcomings at several plants included seepage from the walls of the dikes that hold back the damp coal ash, but the review said none posed any immediate threat.
Environmentalists said TVA should study the ponds' seismic stability and questioned the timing of the study.
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