TVA's Roane County Property Next Steps

May 5, 2011

HARRIMAN, Tenn. — The Tennessee Valley Authority on Thursday outlined broad plans for the future use of about 900 acres acquired by TVA as a result of the Kingston Fossil Plant ash spill in late 2008.

Two years ago, as TVA began to purchase land affected by the event, Kingston Mayor Troy Beets, Harriman Mayor Chris Mason and the former Roane County executive asked TVA to consider using the property for ball fields and for public use.

Many others have since asked about TVA's plans for the real estate, including current Roane County Executive Ron Woody. TVA has evaluated the property based on available space, access and the best use of space.

"There are many steps to developing a plan, and TVA is starting the process by taking the next steps forward. We appreciate and concur with Mayor Beets, Mayor Mason and County Executive Woody in their commitment to the people in the Swan Pond community," Kingston Recovery Executive Bob Deacy said, "and we thank them for their continued leadership in Roane County."

TVA officials shared information about those steps with Beets, Mason and Woody on Thursday.

TVA will retain ownership of all property purchased. Currently, there are no plans to sell any property.

Some of the property will be retained as permanent plant boundary and some will be designated as green space. For the remaining properties, a strategy will be developed following the cleanup.

Letters were mailed Thursday to about 150 former homeowners informing them that the property TVA purchased from them will not be sold. The letter states that structures on some of the properties will be removed. It also asks them to watch for more information about future plans.

TVA has requested permission to consult with local parks and recreation staff about proposed use of the designated properties.

"TVA remains committed to working with public officials and the community and to devoting the necessary resources to the cleanup and restoration," Deacy said.

The Tennessee Valley Authority, a corporation owned by the U.S. government, provides electricity for utility and business customers in most of Tennessee and parts of Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia – an area of 80,000 square miles with a population of 9 million. TVA operates 29 hydroelectric dams, 11 coal-fired power plants, three nuclear plants and 11 natural gas-fired power facilities that can produce about 34,000 megawatts of electricity, delivered over 16,000 miles of high-voltage power lines. TVA also provides flood control, navigation, land management and recreation for the Tennessee River system and works with local utilities and state and local governments to promote economic development across the region. TVA, which makes no profits and receives no taxpayer money, is funded by sales of electricity to its customers. Electricity prices in TVA's service territory are below the national average.

Media Contact:

Travis Brickey, (865) 632-6263
TVA Media Relations, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000
TVA Newsroom