Nearly two months after the fact, the Tennessee Valley Authority is still only beginning to sort out the damage caused by a massive spill of toxic coal ash that destroyed homes, killed wildlife and may still be poisoning the land and people of Roane County, Tenn.
A recent valuation of the damage put it at $825 million. And now TVA is trying to buy the damaged homes. While some residents have been satisfied with the deals offered, such as those whose homes had already been on the market, others simply haven't come to grips with the idea of leaving because of a coal spill:
Carol Langley said TVA has been very responsive in some aspects of spill, but lacking in others.
"They were great when it came to finding us a short-term rental home and I think they're doing everything they can to clean up the river," said Carol. "But the offer they made to buy our home does not approach the cost of a comparable property."
"I don't need the TVA appraiser to tell me my house is 40 years old and would be valued higher if it had new cabinets." Carol continued, "We never planned to leave, this house is completely paid for, and I'll be retired with a house payment based on their offer."
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