The idyllic lifestyle of residents along the Emory and Tennessee rivers was changed forever Dec. 22, when more than 1 billion pounds of toxic coal ash sludge flooded more than 300 acres. The coal ash, a waste by-product from the Kingston Fossil Plant, a TVA energy production facility, burst through a retention pond retaining wall at the site and devastated the surrounding land and waterways.

Learn more about the Tennessee coal ash spill.

Recorded: January 27, 2009

Courtesy of: Beasley Allen Video

Keywords: Environmental, Coal Ash Spill