EPA regs sought while TVA hires expert for 'areas of concern'

By Michael Collins (Contact)
Originally published 01:52 p.m., January 12, 2009
Updated 06:02 p.m., January 12, 2009

WASHINGTON - A key U.S. senator said Monday she is preparing a resolution that will call on the federal government to regulate coal fly-ash ponds across the country as the TVA disclosed it is hiring an outside consultant to look at a couple "areas of concern" at its ash ponds.

U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, a California Democrat who chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said she will file a measure either this week or next asking the federal Environmental Protection Agency to immediately undertake a status report on the dangers of coal ash.