Watershed contaminated by Tennessee coal ash spill

TENNESSEE: Tests show more pollutants found in river from ash spill site

Independent water samplings by environmental activists show high levels of arsenic and copper in river water at the East Tennessee TVA spill site and several miles downstream.

"When you have copper and arsenic levels that are so concentrated that they surpass the standard that causes instant death to aquatic life ... that is an event that should signal a major alarm to TVA and the Tennessee authorities," said Jeff Stant with the Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Integrity Project.

Congress is considering new regulation of such ash ponds, which can be found at 156 coal-fired power plants in 32 states.

The TVA is currently spending about $1 million a day in clean-up efforts. "Leaving the ash sitting on the riverbanks and in the river will endanger public health and the environment. Every time it rains, the ash will continue to leach heavy metals and further contaminate the watershed," Stant said.

The effect of the spill is exacerbated by the emissions of the coal power plants -- in addition to water contamination, air quality is compromised. The Center for a Better South recommends that "Southern state legislatures should push for faster and bigger emission reductions, especially for mercury, than those required by the federal program. Southern state legislatures also should make sure that the greatest possible power plant nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide pollution reductions actually happen in their home states rather than through buying credits elsewhere." (Recommendation 3, Getting Greener: Progressive environmental thinking for the American South)

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Gov. Riley to propose stronger state ethics law

ARKANSAS: House committee to consider Gov. Beebe's tax hike on tobacco products Wednesday

FLORIDA: Seminole Tribe tries again to make gambling deal with state

GEORGIA: School vouchers for all public school students proposed in new bill

KENTUCKY: Drop in state reimbursement rates hits private foster care providers hard

LOUISIANA: First African-American named as new head of DEA for New Orleans

MISSISSIPPI: State leaders consider bailout in light of tax revenue shortfall

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue's austerity demand results in agencies' itemized cuts lists

SOUTH CAROLINA: Lawmakers consider changing the way South Carolinians vote

VIRGINIA: Gov. Kaine pushes again for no-excuse absentee voting and bipartisan redistricting

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