TVA Public Relations Staff Edited Engineer's Report on Failed Coal-Ash Dam

Cookie Control

This site uses cookies to store information on your computer.

Some cookies on this site are essential, and the site won't work as expected without them. These cookies are set when you submit a form, login or interact with the site by doing something that goes beyond clicking on simple links.

We also use some non-essential cookies to anonymously track visitors or enhance your experience of the site. If you're not happy with this, we won't set these cookies but some nice features of the site may be unavailable.

By using our site you accept the terms of our Privacy Policy.

Cookies are on

(One cookie will be set to store your preference)

Do not ask me again
(Ticking this sets a cookie to hide this popup if you then hit close. This will not store any personal information)

TVA Public Relations Staff Edited Engineer's Report on Failed Coal-Ash Dam

September 21, 2011

The Tennessee Valley Authority's public relations staff reviewed and suggested changes in an engineer's report on the Dec. 2008 dam failure that caused 5.4 million cubic yards of coal-ash slurry to inundate the area near TVA's Kingston Fossil Plant.

Engineer Chris Buttram began his inspections before the spill incident but completed it afterward. His initial draft report said several eroded areas needed to be fixed "immediately." After the public relations staff suggested striking the word "immediately," Buttram did so. He made the admission while testifying in a civil suit.