Enormous environmental catastrophe in Tennessee

So we choose to bury this instead, huh? How exactly does one go about missing something so bad? Kinda makes me sick.

I don't remember hearing this on the radio nor local TV. I checked goggle and CNN covered it online 12/23.

Hey! Here's the New York Times covering it on the front page of the website.

http://www.nytimes.com/

Notice that the ad on the same page is Shell oil! Arrg! We can't win!

Incredible, such a tragedy this is, not only for Tennessee, but the Earth as well, not to mention those poor animals who were harmed by this.

I seriously saw this as some sort-of-sign to the people, that sign being get rid of coal dependency all together because it shouldn't be meddle with as an energy source (but of curse anyone could of told you that, even the people who own the damn coal businesses).

BLASPHEMY!!

Thank you for this. I had no idea.

Thank you for posting this.

It was covered by Democracy Now!

All hail Amy Goodman.

http://www.democracynow.org/2008/12/24/spill_at_tennessee_coal_plant_creates

is that "water" all thick and gooey? or is the black stuff the coal that spilled? Not sure what's what in the video. And has this spilled into a larger body of water?

It was on the Nightly News. Get over yourselves.

Let me tell you something about environmentalists. They love to complain. Now, complaining is fine and dandy, but usually it's only useful if a proposed solution follows. Environmentalists have nothing. Hydrogen Fuel Cell cars? Sounds totally safe, I want to drive around on top of an H-Bomb so bad. Scientists are scrambling to find safe, effective, renewable resources, but in the mean time we're going to have to rely on existing sources, that aren't very good for the environment.

You can't flip a switch and have every car, home, and power plant run on electricity or sunshine and farts like you hippies propose. Give it time, and meanwhile, just do us all a favor and shut up. It was a disaster and it is being taken care of. Get on with your lives.

Just throwing this in there: TVA is a government agency. Now is anyone still surprised?

I watched the "news" today. There was no mention of this.
I vaguely remember hearing about a "spill" the other day, but the mdia said little about it.
I'm glad to see places like utube and all of the others.
It gets the word out, even when the "news" doesn't.
This is a travestry, and you can bet no one will pay.
When the insurance money does not come in, the company will simply file papers claiming they haven't the ability to clean it up.
And it will go on for years. As usual.

There is a real need for alternative media that emerges from people getting involved and pursuing the truth wherever it may lead. This is a tragedy and more people need to know.

Could anyone find this on the EPA website?

Yeah its a shame we can’t swap out free market capitalism for socialism. I hear down in Venezuela oil is completely carbon neutral and everyone flies around in rocket cars like in the Jetsons. Oh we’re missing out big time!

I can NOT find this story on msnbc.com, even in the environment section, nor is it on the front-page of cnn.com, not seeing it on foxnews.com either.

lol @ cnn.

this is crazy if this doesnt get more attention by the end of the day i will be convinced this country is insane.

Although video from the scene shows dead fish on the banks of the tributary, [TVA spokesman Gil Francis] said that "in terms of toxicity, until an analysis comes in, you can't call it toxic."

-- CNN

Unbelievable!

This is just plain crazy and absurd.

I also posted a story on this today not seeing the others. The video you have posted is far more shocking than anything I read about, or the individual photographs available.
I'm lost for words (again).....

So coal is NOT clean energy like on TV commercials?

There will have been a bond for that impoundment and so if the dam owner doesn't make reparations, then their bond will pay out.

This is a dam safety issue. I would classify accidents separately from intentional pollution on the coal industry's karmic balance sheet. Of course if they were negligent in their dam maintenance that is another story.

Bringing "clean coal" into this discussion is a red herring because this has nothing to do with acid rain or global warming.

None of the foregoing is intended to convey that I am not shocked and dismayed at the devastation and loss of habitat. I just think when we get outraged it's best to keep our thinking caps on. Stretching a good point wears it out sooner. Stay focused for maximum penetration.

I hope that 2009 brings some changes in energy sources. My mom grew up in Appalachia, and had to move several times as a child due to strip mining. Coal mining is dangerous and harmful (to both people and the environment).

But, of course, the real issue is that this spill has been slid under the rug. The media and the big names in the industry really think they can hide 2.6 million cubic yards of ash and slurry? Really?

that is a rediculous video, I couldn't even tell what exactly I was looking at until I read the text. That is a huge disaster. Those sell outs! I wonder if there is going to be a statement by Obama? Considering he's for "clean coal" and all.

What a mess. More reason for green and clean energy.

Don't buy the lie: "clean coal" is an oxymoron.

Wow, thanks for posting.
I'm sure DemocracyNow will cover it at least.

Vote this up people.

"...a retention pond holding toxic coal ash slurry burst Monday in Roane County, Tennessee, releasing over half a billion gallons..."

"...400 acres of land covered by several feet of coal ash, mud and contaminated water..."

"over 40 times more contaminated sludge than the infamous Exxon Valdez oil spill."

THE MSM cable news networks can't cover it with all of the clean coal ads they run and look credible. They are OWNED by industry.