Sen. Alexander wants EPA to conduct Kingston hearing on new coal ash disposal rules

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., wants the Environmental Protection Agency to schedule one of its hearings on how to handle coal ash in Kingston, Tenn., the site of the largest coal-ash spill in American history.

In a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson released today, Alexander also asked the EPA to extend its public comment period to accommodate the concerns expressed at a possible Tennessee hearing.

"The Kingston spill dumped 5.4 million cubic yards of coal ash in Roane County and may cost TVA ratepayers as much as $1.2 billion in cleanup costs,” Alexander said. “Having hearings on coal ash without asking Tennesseans what they think would be like having hearings on Katrina without asking people in New Orleans what they think or on the oil spill without asking people who live on the Gulf what they think.”