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Communities gather for day of remembrance for the Kingston Coal Ash Spill cleanup workers 15 years later

In 2008, a dike containing toxic coal ash ruptured at the Tennessee Valley Authority's coal-fired Kingston Fossil Plant releasing over 1 billion gallons of coal ash.

KINGSTON, Tennessee — Friday, Dec. 22 marks 15 years since the Kingston Coal Ash Spill in Roane County.

In 2008, a dike containing toxic coal ash ruptured at the Tennessee Valley Authority's coal-fired Kingston Fossil Plant. Over 1 billion gallons of coal ash slurry rushed into the surrounding rivers and neighborhoods. The toxic sludge covered 300 acres.

During the next six years, nearly 900 workers cleaned up the largest industrial spill without protection from the toxic coal ash. TVA's contractor, Jacobs Engineering, denied personal protective equipment for the workers. 

Kingston cleanup workers were told the coal ash was safe but later hundreds of workers became sick and over 60 died.

After 10 years of litigation, Jacobs Engineering settled an undisclosed amount with more than 200 cleanup workers. 

A Day of Remembrance for the cleanup workers will be held on the steps of the Roane County Courthouse on Friday. Speeches will be given by Roane County Commissioners, widowers of the workers, along with the playing of bagpipes. The ceremony starts at 10 a.m.

The Roane County Commission responded to the leadership of impacted families by setting the spill anniversary as an annual day of remembrance for workers and committing funds for a Tennessee Historical Marker, according to a release from Appalachian Voices

“Knowing there are people who have compassion for [our loved] ones — some of whom they do not know nor have personally met — greatly helps in healing the broken hearts of those who have lost loved ones, and for the living to be shown the respect for which they genuinely deserve," Janie Clark, widow of Ansol Clark, who passed away in 2021, said. 

For the next four weeks, people can see the billboards honoring workers on streets and major highways outside Knoxville and near the spill site. Each billboard features artwork by Ansol Clark, who drew the image with doves about six months before his passing, according to the release. 

Doves have become a powerful symbol for remembering the workers.

The locations include: 

  • Billboard 1: I-75 in Lenoir City Exit 81, from Dec. 25 to Dec. 31
  • Billboard 2: Highway 72 Centre Park Drive, from Dec. 18 to Dec. 31
  • Billboard 3: Oak Ridge Highway near Burchfield Drive, from Dec. 18 to Dec. 31
  • Billboard 4: 1238 South Roane Street, from Dec. 18 to Jan. 14
  • Billboard 5: I-40 east of Midtown Exit 350, from Dec. 18 to Jan. 14

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