Virtual presentation on coal ash issues Jan. 4
The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge welcomes the community to Lunch with the League from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4.
In an effort to keep everyone safe during this time of pandemic, the gathering will again be virtual. Those who desire to gain access to the meeting may do so by following the instructions provided at the close of this article, according to a a news release from the local League.
On Monday, Dec. 22, 2008, a retaining wall of a dyke at TVA's Kingston plant failed and released coal ash sludge.
"Billions of gallons of coal ash sludge swept homes off their foundations, buried some, covered 300 acres of Roane County with thick coal slop and contaminated the Clinch River. While there were no initial deaths from the incident, the true cost of human life would be revealed years later when 30 cleanup workers died and hundreds more became sick. This is the story Jamie Satterfield set out to tell and is that for which she is most known. She will speak on the impact the spill continues to have on our community," the League release stated.
"Jamie Satterfield is an investigative journalist with more than 33 years of experience, specializing in legal affairs, policing, public corruption, environmental crime and civil rights violations. Her journalism has been recognized as some of the best in the nation, earning recognition from the Scripts Howard Foundation, the Society of Professional Journalists’ Sigma Delta Chi Awards, the Green Eyeshade Awards, the Tennessee Press Association, the Tennessee Managing Editors Association, the First Amendment Center and many other industry organizations," the release stated. She reportedly presented her investigative findings to federal agents and a county grand jury in the fall.
"Our community owes a debt of gratitude to Jamie Satterfield for her dedication and fearless resolve to tell the truth about environmental hazards that impact our health and well being," the local League stated in its news release.
Lunch with the League welcomes League members and nonmembers alike to this presentation. For instructions on linking to the live presentation, contact maryannreeves1@att.net. All League members will receive an email with the Zoom link prior to the meeting. A couple of days following the presentation, you may view the recorded presentation on the League’s website https://my.lwv.org/tennessee/oak-ridge.
The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge is a nonpartisan political organization for men and women. It encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Virtual presentation on coal ash issues Jan. 4
