Thursday, January 21, 2010
Video--Journalists and Environmental Activist Arrested by TVA Police
Press Release: January 21, 2010
United Mountain Defense
Bonnie Swinford
(865) 689-2778
umdvolunteerhouse@yahoo.com
www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Journalists and Environmental Activist Arrested by TVA Police
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., January 21 – On Wednesday, January 20, 2010, United Mountain Defense (UMD) volunteer Matt Landon Jones and two journalists who were reporting on the current clean-up efforts of last year's Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) coal ash disaster where arrested by TVA police. Last year, a man-made earthen dam containing 50 years of contaminated coal ash erupted, forcing over 1 billion gallons of toxic ash into tributaries of the Tennessee River and devastated the surrounding community. Marking the event anniversary, the reporters were planning to report on the lives of the residents still living in the area as well as the communities receiving train loads of the toxic waste each week from the disaster site. Noticing the train cars filled with coal ash heading to Perry County, Alabama – a poor, predominately African American community where TVA is currently shipping large amounts of the coal ash for storage in a landfill. The journalists stopped to take photographs, at which point they were approached by TVA police. The TVA police detained all three individuals, confiscated their camera and searched their vehicle. The police officer was going to release the individual after writing up citations. The officer was nearly done writing up the citations when he received a phone call. Upon hanging up the phone, the officer told the three individuals that “things had changed.” Instead of issuing warning citations, the officer then arrested and charged all three individuals with criminal trespassing in what can only be described as a gross overreaction. Just prior to the arrest, Jones called fellow UMD volunteer Bonnie Swinford who heard Jones asking the officer if he was being arrested, to which the officer answered "yes". When Jones then asked the officer what he was being arrested for, the officer replied, "I'll get back to you," and took the cell phone away. All three were handcuffed and held on $2,000 bails.
"These arrests are part of a pattern of harassment of UMD volunteers by TVA," said Jones. "TVA has tried to prevent United Mountain Defense from conducting independent water testing, deploying air monitoring, and working with the community of Roane County and they have consistently harassed me while doing this work." In 2009, Jones helped a partially blind Roane County resident get home from a community meeting. Even though the resident explained to TVA police that Jones was simply driving her home, he was arrested, held in jail for 36 hours, and prevented from traveling near the disaster site for seven months before all charges were finally dropped. Other UMD volunteers, journalist, and scientist have experienced continued harassment from TVA officials as well.
TVA's Community Relations Senior Manager Katie Bell Kline was quick to report the incident online to the Roane County Community Advisory Board, erroneously claiming that "TVA Police found the three offenders in and on top of ash-loaded rail cars located on tracks adjacent to the middle road entrance to plant." Only one individual was anywhere near the train. The other two were in the car, as clearly indicated in both the TVA officer's report and in video footage recorded by Jones before his camera was roughly confiscated.
The pattern of harassment that concerned citizens and members of the media have experienced from TVA is unacceptable and has gone on for far too long.
For more information, please contact Bonnie Swinford at 865 689-2778 or Matt Landon Jones by email at umdvolunteerhouse@yahoo.com.
Video Footage of TVA police arrests on Jan 20, 2010
TVA Arrests UMD volunteer and two reporters http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxDy2n3Sk94
Video Footage of past TVA harassment of UMD volunteers
Mountain Justice Spring Break Students Harassed by TVA Police - March 15, 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGtD-_iOv3c
UMD volunteer arrested for helping grandmother - March 6, 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2ltonE1IdM
TVA police harass UMD volunteer while setting up air monitor –March 3, 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frr-e8C5k6Y
TVA worker harassment of United Mountain Defense volunteers Kingston Power plant disaster - Dec 29, 2008 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Flo5HXvqHsw
Hurricane Creekeepper John Wathen speaks about TVA disaster and TVA police repression.- Dec 28, 2008 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmihsLzT7XQ
TVA has roadblocks set up on the main roads leading to the Swan Pond neighborhood, preventing volunteers from bringing clean water and information. - Dec 27, 2008 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujSElW0iG74
###
About United Mountain Defense
United Mountain Defense (UMD) is a Knoxville based non-profit dedicated to protecting Tennessee's watersheds, air, mountains and communities. We have many years of experience working on issues relating to surface mining and its impacts on communities. A primary focus of UMD has been in scientific data collection, community organizing, and data collection and analysis from federal and state agencies. www.unitedmountaindefense.org/
Monday, August 24, 2009
Citizen Groups Claim VICTORY Against TVA!!!!!!!!!
Here’s the article-------http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/aug/24/tva-may-shutter-aging-coal-fired-plants/?local
August 20,2009 TVA board meeting link http://www.tva.gov/abouttva/board/index.htm#820
Today it was reported that at TVA's board meeting on August 20, 2009 that TVA will most likely be closing down at least two coal burning power plants including Rogersville, TN and Widow's Creek, Alabama. This is such good news and a victory for United Mountain Defense, Mountain Justice, and Three Rivers Earth First! that have all been shining light on TVA's dirty little secrets, their coal burning power plant fleet. As I type this TVA has been buying up property around Widow's Creek to provide a safety buffer around the coal ash piles and gypsum ponds. They are also supposedly digging giant holes around the Rogersville Power Plant for some unknown reason. These closure actions are unprecedented in the history of the struggle against coal burning power plants and specifically against TVA. TVA has caved to public pressure and is closing down their old coal burners. As the largest purchaser of coal in the country TVA is a trend setter and we will continue to push for the conversion of ALL of TVA's dirty power plants to clean safe renewable energy. For now let us celebrate but also keep up the pressure as our protests are obviously working.....
Within our grassroots struggle for justice, clear and measurable victories are not always apparent and plentiful. As keepers of the long term agenda and volunteers of the earth, our labor is continuous but often overlooked. Not today. Never in the history of this struggle has a coal- fired power plant been stopped, not in the permit process, but in the peak of its life span.
From the number one purchaser of coal in North America, this means thousands of tons of coal that would have been ripped from the mountains of central Appalachia will not be. This means billions of dollars that would have been wired into the pockets of Coal Executives will not be. This means millions of gallons of coal ash and slurry that would have been generated over the next decades will not be.
This means the long standing campaign against the Tennessee Valley Authority by United Mountain Defense, Three Rivers Earth First!, and Mountain Justice has been not only valuable, but priceless. The hours spent in public hearing, submitting complaints, spreading awareness, writing press releases, making signs, planning actions, chanting, singing, crying, demanding, and pleading, were not in vain. They were in victory!!
August 20,2009 TVA board meeting link http://www.tva.gov/abouttva/board/index.htm#820
Today it was reported that at TVA's board meeting on August 20, 2009 that TVA will most likely be closing down at least two coal burning power plants including Rogersville, TN and Widow's Creek, Alabama. This is such good news and a victory for United Mountain Defense, Mountain Justice, and Three Rivers Earth First! that have all been shining light on TVA's dirty little secrets, their coal burning power plant fleet. As I type this TVA has been buying up property around Widow's Creek to provide a safety buffer around the coal ash piles and gypsum ponds. They are also supposedly digging giant holes around the Rogersville Power Plant for some unknown reason. These closure actions are unprecedented in the history of the struggle against coal burning power plants and specifically against TVA. TVA has caved to public pressure and is closing down their old coal burners. As the largest purchaser of coal in the country TVA is a trend setter and we will continue to push for the conversion of ALL of TVA's dirty power plants to clean safe renewable energy. For now let us celebrate but also keep up the pressure as our protests are obviously working.....
Within our grassroots struggle for justice, clear and measurable victories are not always apparent and plentiful. As keepers of the long term agenda and volunteers of the earth, our labor is continuous but often overlooked. Not today. Never in the history of this struggle has a coal- fired power plant been stopped, not in the permit process, but in the peak of its life span.
From the number one purchaser of coal in North America, this means thousands of tons of coal that would have been ripped from the mountains of central Appalachia will not be. This means billions of dollars that would have been wired into the pockets of Coal Executives will not be. This means millions of gallons of coal ash and slurry that would have been generated over the next decades will not be.
This means the long standing campaign against the Tennessee Valley Authority by United Mountain Defense, Three Rivers Earth First!, and Mountain Justice has been not only valuable, but priceless. The hours spent in public hearing, submitting complaints, spreading awareness, writing press releases, making signs, planning actions, chanting, singing, crying, demanding, and pleading, were not in vain. They were in victory!!
UMD, Mountain Justice, and Three Rivers Earth First! organize the Mobilization for Clean Air July 26, 2009
TVA has been polluting the air of more than 7 states across the Southeast with filthy coal for more than 50 years now and it is time to stop them! Residents from across East Tennessee and Appalachia converged on Knoxville, TN to show their support for clean air and to tell TVA to stop burning coal. We had speakers from Knoxville, Roane County, and Eagan, TN. There were musical performances, poets, street theater, larger than life puppets, and a drum corp called Cakalak Thunder that all added to the energy of the event. The rally was followed by a lively march around the TVA towers and through downtown Knoxville. TVA is the largest public utility purchasing coal in North America and they should use this leadership role to move toward renewable energy generation and phase out old coal burning powerplants. We made a video about the Sunday action and here it is-----www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekoWkRx9K8M
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
EPA & UMD Conference Call
May 13, 2009
Today United Mountain Defense had a conference call with the Environmental Protection Agency about the agreement they recently entered with TVA to oversee the cleanup efforts of the coal ash disaster.
This agreement was entered under the Administrative Order Superfund Law also known as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or CERCLA.
Below is a summary of the questions asked by UMD on this conference call and paraphrased answers from the EPA.
Question - Is the TVA disaster site a superfund?
Response – It is not listed on the national priority list because it is a removal and cleanup effort.
Question – Is the EPA the lead agency for the cleanup effort in the TVA disaster site.
Response – EPA is overseeing all cleanup efforts and has the final approval in all decisions since the order has been signed.
Questions – Does this mean that the EPA is replacing TDEC as the lead regulatory agency?
Response – We have the final approval on all decisions.
Questions – What is your plan for public participating?
Reponses – You can read this on our question and answer press release.
At this time we explained that we had read the statement they release and we had some concerns about the way they are approaching the public participation component of Superfund law. We expressed concern that public participation would not be part of certain “time critical actions” such as dredging, dust suppression, ash storage, etc.
The EPA said that it was true that many of these “time critical action” would take place before public comments are collected but that they would allow for public input and this input could be taken into consideration for specific actions.
They also said the permanent storage of the coal ash is not considered a “time critical action” and that they would wait until public hearings take place before they begin storing the coal ash. At this point we asked them about the coal ash that has already left the site on railcars and been transported by train south into Georgia and possibly other areas. They said this was part of a “pilot project” and they did not know where the coal ash was going but they would get back to us with details.
Questions- When will the first public hearing take place?
Response - We just recently arrived on site and need some time to get our feet on the ground.
At this point we let the EPA know that arranging public participation also needs to be a “time critical action” and should happen as soon as possible so that those who have had their lives changed by this disaster can be involved in decisions that impact their health and environment.
We also explained that we have been on the ground at the disaster site since it first happened and we are interested in making sure any agency in charge of cleanup efforts are transparent in their actions and open and responsive to the concerns of the community.
Today United Mountain Defense had a conference call with the Environmental Protection Agency about the agreement they recently entered with TVA to oversee the cleanup efforts of the coal ash disaster.
This agreement was entered under the Administrative Order Superfund Law also known as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or CERCLA.
Below is a summary of the questions asked by UMD on this conference call and paraphrased answers from the EPA.
Question - Is the TVA disaster site a superfund?
Response – It is not listed on the national priority list because it is a removal and cleanup effort.
Question – Is the EPA the lead agency for the cleanup effort in the TVA disaster site.
Response – EPA is overseeing all cleanup efforts and has the final approval in all decisions since the order has been signed.
Questions – Does this mean that the EPA is replacing TDEC as the lead regulatory agency?
Response – We have the final approval on all decisions.
Questions – What is your plan for public participating?
Reponses – You can read this on our question and answer press release.
At this time we explained that we had read the statement they release and we had some concerns about the way they are approaching the public participation component of Superfund law. We expressed concern that public participation would not be part of certain “time critical actions” such as dredging, dust suppression, ash storage, etc.
The EPA said that it was true that many of these “time critical action” would take place before public comments are collected but that they would allow for public input and this input could be taken into consideration for specific actions.
They also said the permanent storage of the coal ash is not considered a “time critical action” and that they would wait until public hearings take place before they begin storing the coal ash. At this point we asked them about the coal ash that has already left the site on railcars and been transported by train south into Georgia and possibly other areas. They said this was part of a “pilot project” and they did not know where the coal ash was going but they would get back to us with details.
Questions- When will the first public hearing take place?
Response - We just recently arrived on site and need some time to get our feet on the ground.
At this point we let the EPA know that arranging public participation also needs to be a “time critical action” and should happen as soon as possible so that those who have had their lives changed by this disaster can be involved in decisions that impact their health and environment.
We also explained that we have been on the ground at the disaster site since it first happened and we are interested in making sure any agency in charge of cleanup efforts are transparent in their actions and open and responsive to the concerns of the community.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Emory River Dredges Itself
Locals in Roane County reported on Monday, May 4th that there was a large amount of coal ash flowing out of the disaster site and downriver. There were heavy rains from Friday to Sunday and some parts of Roan County received up to 5 inches of rain.
The rain caused a massive flow that picked up debris and sediment from inlets and the bottom of the river and sent it all down stream into the Clinch and Tennessee rivers. On Monday the flow peaked at 70,000 cubic feet per second and the usual flow is between 700 to 1,000 cubic feet per second.
Video of Emory and Clinch rivers the day after the massive rain event.
Tuesday, May 6th Roane County TN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOHk95wbcGs
Pictures from the day after the rain event
http://s725.photobucket.com/albums/ww257/umdvolunteerhouse/
The rain caused a massive flow that picked up debris and sediment from inlets and the bottom of the river and sent it all down stream into the Clinch and Tennessee rivers. On Monday the flow peaked at 70,000 cubic feet per second and the usual flow is between 700 to 1,000 cubic feet per second.
Video of Emory and Clinch rivers the day after the massive rain event.
Tuesday, May 6th Roane County TN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOHk95wbcGs
Pictures from the day after the rain event
http://s725.photobucket.com/albums/ww257/umdvolunteerhouse/
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Clinch River on April 27th
On Monday, March 27 I went for a boat ride near the TVA disaster site and below is an update of what I saw.
We put in at Ladd’s Landing right at the confluence of the Clinch and Emory rivers. TVA had posted restricted access to the Emory River just across from Ladd’s Landing and extending all the way to the coal plant 2 miles upstream. Not being able to get close enough to document the cleanup effort we decided to explore downriver.
We saw cenospheres (a by-product of coal burning power plants) collecting in inlets and near banks of the Clinch River.
We also saw cenospheres floating in the middle of the Clinch River.
As we explored downstream we had the opportunity to view wildlife enjoying the warm weather. East Tennessee is one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet with a plethora of aquatic species living in our beautiful river habitats. With a background in wildlife and fisheries biology I have always found reptiles fascinating and relish the chance to see a snake in nature.
When we came across this water snake it was a treat to watch.
It is a shame that is was basking in the sun on top of this boom designed to collect the ash and debris floating down from the disaster site.
This Osprey is nesting with babies on a channel marker downstream from the coal ash disaster. The Osprey has earned the nickname “Fish Hawk” because they feed exclusively on fish and hunt by diving beneath the surface of the water to capture fish with their barbed padded feet. Not long ago Ospreys were considered endangered, victims of pesticides such as DDT, illegal hunting and habitat loss. The unregulated use of pesticides was the largest contributor to their decline. By eating contaminated prey, the birds ingested the toxins which then caused them to lay eggs so thin they would break when sat upon.
Watts Bar was the site of an osprey reintroduction project and today there are estimated to be 130 active osprey nests on the Watts Bar Reservoir which makes this area (a few miles downstream from the coal disaster) the most densely populated osprey habitat in East Tennessee.
The wildlife weren’t the only ones enjoying this unusually hot and sunny east Tennessee spring day. Some people were using the river for recreation.
Sailing
Fishing(the bird and the people)
Playing on jet skies(they were waiting for our boat to make a wake for them to play in)
Even swimming at the Kingston City Park
All of these pictures were taken less than 5 miles downstream from the worst coal disaster in US history.
This is what the river looks like today a few miles upstream from where these pictures were taken.
According to TVA recreation in the area should not be impacted by the disaster and the Tennessee Department of Health’s fact sheets says that people should not come into contact with the coal ash but that it is safe to recreate in the water and eat most kinds of fish in the river. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has issued a fish consumption advisory against eating striped bass and a precautionary advisory for catfish and sauger.
Our government agencies are telling us the water is safe to swim in and the fish are safe to eat. However this advice goes without taking into consideration that there is already scientific water monitoring data showing high levels of arsenic and other heavy metals near the disaster site. This advice also goes without taking into consideration the evidence that shows the toxins in coal ash build up in bodies over time, sometimes with lethal effects. The bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fish and other aquatic life happens over time and the metals can slowly move their way up the food chain.
We put in at Ladd’s Landing right at the confluence of the Clinch and Emory rivers. TVA had posted restricted access to the Emory River just across from Ladd’s Landing and extending all the way to the coal plant 2 miles upstream. Not being able to get close enough to document the cleanup effort we decided to explore downriver.
We saw cenospheres (a by-product of coal burning power plants) collecting in inlets and near banks of the Clinch River.
We also saw cenospheres floating in the middle of the Clinch River.
As we explored downstream we had the opportunity to view wildlife enjoying the warm weather. East Tennessee is one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet with a plethora of aquatic species living in our beautiful river habitats. With a background in wildlife and fisheries biology I have always found reptiles fascinating and relish the chance to see a snake in nature.
When we came across this water snake it was a treat to watch.
It is a shame that is was basking in the sun on top of this boom designed to collect the ash and debris floating down from the disaster site.
This Osprey is nesting with babies on a channel marker downstream from the coal ash disaster. The Osprey has earned the nickname “Fish Hawk” because they feed exclusively on fish and hunt by diving beneath the surface of the water to capture fish with their barbed padded feet. Not long ago Ospreys were considered endangered, victims of pesticides such as DDT, illegal hunting and habitat loss. The unregulated use of pesticides was the largest contributor to their decline. By eating contaminated prey, the birds ingested the toxins which then caused them to lay eggs so thin they would break when sat upon.
Watts Bar was the site of an osprey reintroduction project and today there are estimated to be 130 active osprey nests on the Watts Bar Reservoir which makes this area (a few miles downstream from the coal disaster) the most densely populated osprey habitat in East Tennessee.
The wildlife weren’t the only ones enjoying this unusually hot and sunny east Tennessee spring day. Some people were using the river for recreation.
Sailing
Fishing(the bird and the people)
Playing on jet skies(they were waiting for our boat to make a wake for them to play in)
Even swimming at the Kingston City Park
All of these pictures were taken less than 5 miles downstream from the worst coal disaster in US history.
This is what the river looks like today a few miles upstream from where these pictures were taken.
According to TVA recreation in the area should not be impacted by the disaster and the Tennessee Department of Health’s fact sheets says that people should not come into contact with the coal ash but that it is safe to recreate in the water and eat most kinds of fish in the river. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has issued a fish consumption advisory against eating striped bass and a precautionary advisory for catfish and sauger.
Our government agencies are telling us the water is safe to swim in and the fish are safe to eat. However this advice goes without taking into consideration that there is already scientific water monitoring data showing high levels of arsenic and other heavy metals near the disaster site. This advice also goes without taking into consideration the evidence that shows the toxins in coal ash build up in bodies over time, sometimes with lethal effects. The bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fish and other aquatic life happens over time and the metals can slowly move their way up the food chain.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
TVA Coal Ash Disaster Truck Tracking with Bob Alexander of TDEC and Gil Francis of TVA
Dear folks,
Here is another video of the TN state regulators, TDEC doing a less than fine job of keeping TN's environment safe from coal fly ash.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_3XCH1mWzg
Thanks, matt landon full time volunteer staff United Mountain Defense and dedicated Roane County Volunteer
Here is another video of the TN state regulators, TDEC doing a less than fine job of keeping TN's environment safe from coal fly ash.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_3XCH1mWzg
Thanks, matt landon full time volunteer staff United Mountain Defense and dedicated Roane County Volunteer
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Feb 3, 2009 TVA Coal Ash Dust Storm Video
This is the only footage in the world of TVA's Coal Ash Dust Storm.
It made international media yet people in east TN didn't know it had happened.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyX5rEb4vqg
It made international media yet people in east TN didn't know it had happened.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyX5rEb4vqg
Friday, April 3, 2009
Tennessee's Dirty Data The NATION
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090420/hearn
The Tennessee Valley Authority manipulated science methods to downplay water contamination caused by a massive coal ash disaster, according to independent technical experts and critics of the federally funded electrical company.
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090420/hearn
The Tennessee Valley Authority manipulated science methods to downplay water contamination caused by a massive coal ash disaster, according to independent technical experts and critics of the federally funded electrical company.
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090420/hearn
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
more TVA harassment video number 5 I think
On March 15th students with Mountain Justice Spring Break drove around to photograph and document the TVA ash disaster. They were immediately provided with an armed escort which followed them around everywhere. TVA apparently filed a notice to the students university that they students trespassed on tva property, protested, refused to give their names--etc.
Watch for yourself. All the TVA police did not interact with the students much at all--one TVA officer talked to them--they mainly followed them around with their black tinted glass suvs.
Free armed guard to students. Reports have it that TVA took down their guard shack on swan pond road that matt got arrested for driving past.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGtD-_iOv3c
Watch for yourself. All the TVA police did not interact with the students much at all--one TVA officer talked to them--they mainly followed them around with their black tinted glass suvs.
Free armed guard to students. Reports have it that TVA took down their guard shack on swan pond road that matt got arrested for driving past.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGtD-_iOv3c
People March, Speak and protest TVA on a rainy day.
This is the first of three videos of the TVA protest. On March 14 2009 a protest (which was organized months before the TVA ash spill disaster occurred) at the TVA headquarters in Knoxville. TVA is the largest purchaser of coal in North America--the message was that king coal is a dangerous, depleting and destructive 19th century technology that has no part in our century. From the cradle to the grave from strip mining to global warming AND the toxic ash coal is filthy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0jqUpdxtYE
On March 14 2009 a protest when had been called for months before the TVA ash spill disaster occurred at the TVA headquarters in Knoxville. TVA is the largest purchaser of coal in North America--the message was that king coal is a dangerous, depleting and destructive 19th century technology that has no part in our century. From the cradle to the grave from strip mining to global warming AND the toxic ash coal is filthy. Shout out to Mountain Justice Spring Break organizers and participants--yall helped us in Tennessee exactly in the way we needed it exactly when we needed it and we will never forget.
The March
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3xtX62kPfY
The arrest
March 14 2009 14 people stood up to the largest purchaser of coal in North America and were arrested for it. From the cradle to the grave coal is destructive, depleting and dangerous. This is a shout out to all of those who got arrested to block this coal addict with their bodies. Coal is a 19th century technology that has not part in this century no matter how many public relations companies they hire.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hZhjd2dNBg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0jqUpdxtYE
On March 14 2009 a protest when had been called for months before the TVA ash spill disaster occurred at the TVA headquarters in Knoxville. TVA is the largest purchaser of coal in North America--the message was that king coal is a dangerous, depleting and destructive 19th century technology that has no part in our century. From the cradle to the grave from strip mining to global warming AND the toxic ash coal is filthy. Shout out to Mountain Justice Spring Break organizers and participants--yall helped us in Tennessee exactly in the way we needed it exactly when we needed it and we will never forget.
The March
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3xtX62kPfY
The arrest
March 14 2009 14 people stood up to the largest purchaser of coal in North America and were arrested for it. From the cradle to the grave coal is destructive, depleting and dangerous. This is a shout out to all of those who got arrested to block this coal addict with their bodies. Coal is a 19th century technology that has not part in this century no matter how many public relations companies they hire.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hZhjd2dNBg
Thursday, March 12, 2009
UMD swipe test
http://www.datafilehost.com/download-31a35227.html
Hey yall, we have our air monitoring stations up and rolling now and expect results in next week. We did a prelim "swipe" test where we put out glass and swiped it with sterile cloth as per instructions of the scientist we are working with at three sites. This is just to give us a baseline and fingerprint. UMD is open source so here are the results of the swipes. If anyone has any input on what this initial data means please email me at christopherscottirwin@yahoo.com
Within a week we should start having data rolling in from our monitoring stations--this is bombproof and admissible in court. We will make that data available as well.
http://www.datafilehost.com/download-31a35227.html
Hey yall, we have our air monitoring stations up and rolling now and expect results in next week. We did a prelim "swipe" test where we put out glass and swiped it with sterile cloth as per instructions of the scientist we are working with at three sites. This is just to give us a baseline and fingerprint. UMD is open source so here are the results of the swipes. If anyone has any input on what this initial data means please email me at christopherscottirwin@yahoo.com
Within a week we should start having data rolling in from our monitoring stations--this is bombproof and admissible in court. We will make that data available as well.
http://www.datafilehost.com/download-31a35227.html
Monday, March 9, 2009
1000 UMD stickers--free for swan pond area folks.
Bumper stickers--we now have a 1000 bumper stickers that say UNITED MOUNTAIN DEFENSE
We are offering them free to anyone that wants one that lives in or near swan pond and deals with the ash. Lets give the TVA a hundred cars that say UNITED MOUNTAIN DEFENSE on the back of them.
If you want a free one mailed to you email unitedmountaindefense@yahoo.com with your address and we will mail it. We will also bring them to meetings to pass out.
unitedmountaindefense@yahoo.com
$3 bux if you don't live in the area but just want one. Email above.
We are offering them free to anyone that wants one that lives in or near swan pond and deals with the ash. Lets give the TVA a hundred cars that say UNITED MOUNTAIN DEFENSE on the back of them.
If you want a free one mailed to you email unitedmountaindefense@yahoo.com with your address and we will mail it. We will also bring them to meetings to pass out.
unitedmountaindefense@yahoo.com
$3 bux if you don't live in the area but just want one. Email above.
Friday, March 6, 2009
UMD volunteer arrested for helping grandmothers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2ltonE1IdM
On March 4 2008 two grandmothers from Swan Pond asked UMD volunteer Matt for a ride home cause they didn't drive. Matt agreed and dropped the last one off at her home when TVA police came onto her property to arrest Matt. In the video the officer first tells Matt that he warned him that he had to have a resident with him when he drove on the public road. When the resident came out and Matt explained that he DID have a resident with him the officer changed the rules and arrested him for something else. Matt was polite, was not breaking any traffic law--he was simply giving to Swan Pond Grandmothers a ride home--one who is half blind. The officer knew who Matt was--this is part of the pattern of non stop harassment of UMD volunteers.
On March 4 2008 two grandmothers from Swan Pond asked UMD volunteer Matt for a ride home cause they didn't drive. Matt agreed and dropped the last one off at her home when TVA police came onto her property to arrest Matt. In the video the officer first tells Matt that he warned him that he had to have a resident with him when he drove on the public road. When the resident came out and Matt explained that he DID have a resident with him the officer changed the rules and arrested him for something else. Matt was polite, was not breaking any traffic law--he was simply giving to Swan Pond Grandmothers a ride home--one who is half blind. The officer knew who Matt was--this is part of the pattern of non stop harassment of UMD volunteers.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
UMD volunteer arrested by TVA for driving 2 grandma's home.
This is so insane I cannot believe I am typing this.
I just got off the phone with UMD volunteer Matt Jones--he left me on speaker phone as the TVA police dragged him off. What was he doing?
He was literally dropping off 2 Swan Pond Grandmothers--one of which is blind in one eye--home. He had two grandmothers in the car that could not drive and he was giving them a ride home from the TDEC public meeting.
We hope to have video up on this asap. Matt is being taken to the Roane County Jail.
We are going to find out what bail is when he is arraigned. This was purely 100% TVA arrest--Roane officers had nothing to do with it.
More information to come as we get it.
Chris Irwin
I just got off the phone with UMD volunteer Matt Jones--he left me on speaker phone as the TVA police dragged him off. What was he doing?
He was literally dropping off 2 Swan Pond Grandmothers--one of which is blind in one eye--home. He had two grandmothers in the car that could not drive and he was giving them a ride home from the TDEC public meeting.
We hope to have video up on this asap. Matt is being taken to the Roane County Jail.
We are going to find out what bail is when he is arraigned. This was purely 100% TVA arrest--Roane officers had nothing to do with it.
More information to come as we get it.
Chris Irwin
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
TVA police delay start of independent air monitoring program
March 3, 2009 4 PM
Dear folks and TVA employees,
TVA Office of Inspector General consider this as an official complaint and file it as such.
The Tennessee Valley Authority Police detained Matt Landon and Tom Swinford of United Mountain Defense after the two UMD volunteers deployed the first air quality monitor on private property around TVA's coal ash disaster in Harriman, TN. United Mountain Defense was on site with the residents at this time. Swinford and Landon legally mounted the air monitor on a power pole located on private property. Tom Swinford is an electrical journeyman and supervised the work today to make sure everyone was safe while working near the electrical wires.
After being detained for nearly 2 hours the Police ordered the United Mountain Defense volunteers to remove the monitor delaying the start of the air monitoring program. Landon video taped the whole event until an officer confiscated his camera. At this point the police began searching Landon's pockets and person for weapons without reasonable or easily articulated cause.
After the first camera was confiscated Swinford turned on his video camera and kept the film rolling. At various times the TVA officers pulled Swinford to the side and stated that he would not be allowed into the area again. TVA seems to forget that all the roads that UMD travels on are public or private roads not owned by TVA. TVA forgets that UMD volunteers have relatives in the Swan Pond Community and have an open invitation to visit residents or their property near the disaster site at any time day or night and UMD WILL visit these people whenever we want to.
One TVA officer told Swinford that he was so embarrassed because he couldn't actually arrest Swinford for being on private property with permission of the land owner.
Unfortunately these officers are only following orders from Tom Kilgore and we hold him personally responsible for the delay of the community's independent air monitoring program. Today's actions show that TVA will use any means to keep independent sampling from occurring including violating private property owner’s rights and threatening volunteers with unjust arrest, search, and seizure. TVA is so invested in keeping the truth about the air quality from reaching the public that they would violate civil rights in order to keep the data a secret. TVA may have delayed the program for one day but they DID NOT stop it. United Mountain Defense will continue to travel anywhere that we want to and will gather lots of air samples with or without TVA's permission. Keep your eyes open for fresh YouTube videos as we crank up UMD's web presence.
In order for TVA to stop generating so much negative publicity by hassling United Mountain Defense volunteers we request that the TVA leadership make some decisions that will permeate the whole TVA organization informing all employees to begin completely cooperating with UMD volunteers. There isn't much that can help TVA's public image at this point but this small step would help TVA greatly because UMD will get ANY footage, samples, data, access, or anything else that we need or want in dealing with this disaster and it is in TVA's best interest to allow this access and monitoring to occur un inhibited.
Seriously, matt landon United Mountain Defense Volunteer Staff
Dear folks and TVA employees,
TVA Office of Inspector General consider this as an official complaint and file it as such.
The Tennessee Valley Authority Police detained Matt Landon and Tom Swinford of United Mountain Defense after the two UMD volunteers deployed the first air quality monitor on private property around TVA's coal ash disaster in Harriman, TN. United Mountain Defense was on site with the residents at this time. Swinford and Landon legally mounted the air monitor on a power pole located on private property. Tom Swinford is an electrical journeyman and supervised the work today to make sure everyone was safe while working near the electrical wires.
After being detained for nearly 2 hours the Police ordered the United Mountain Defense volunteers to remove the monitor delaying the start of the air monitoring program. Landon video taped the whole event until an officer confiscated his camera. At this point the police began searching Landon's pockets and person for weapons without reasonable or easily articulated cause.
After the first camera was confiscated Swinford turned on his video camera and kept the film rolling. At various times the TVA officers pulled Swinford to the side and stated that he would not be allowed into the area again. TVA seems to forget that all the roads that UMD travels on are public or private roads not owned by TVA. TVA forgets that UMD volunteers have relatives in the Swan Pond Community and have an open invitation to visit residents or their property near the disaster site at any time day or night and UMD WILL visit these people whenever we want to.
One TVA officer told Swinford that he was so embarrassed because he couldn't actually arrest Swinford for being on private property with permission of the land owner.
Unfortunately these officers are only following orders from Tom Kilgore and we hold him personally responsible for the delay of the community's independent air monitoring program. Today's actions show that TVA will use any means to keep independent sampling from occurring including violating private property owner’s rights and threatening volunteers with unjust arrest, search, and seizure. TVA is so invested in keeping the truth about the air quality from reaching the public that they would violate civil rights in order to keep the data a secret. TVA may have delayed the program for one day but they DID NOT stop it. United Mountain Defense will continue to travel anywhere that we want to and will gather lots of air samples with or without TVA's permission. Keep your eyes open for fresh YouTube videos as we crank up UMD's web presence.
In order for TVA to stop generating so much negative publicity by hassling United Mountain Defense volunteers we request that the TVA leadership make some decisions that will permeate the whole TVA organization informing all employees to begin completely cooperating with UMD volunteers. There isn't much that can help TVA's public image at this point but this small step would help TVA greatly because UMD will get ANY footage, samples, data, access, or anything else that we need or want in dealing with this disaster and it is in TVA's best interest to allow this access and monitoring to occur un inhibited.
Seriously, matt landon United Mountain Defense Volunteer Staff
March 3rd 2009 more harassment of UMD volunteers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frr-e8C5k6Y
March 3rd 2009 UMD volunteers began setting up air monitors around the TVA ash disaster. We found one spot downwind that was perfect--and go permission from the local that lived there. Within minutes TVA and Roane County police came and detained our volunteers, questioned the person that lived on the land, questioned the owner of the land, read the lease agreement, questioned all of our volunteers and took their ID--snatched a camera out of one of our volunteers hands and ordered us to take down the air monitoring station. Why doesn't TVA want independent air monitors around the site?
Ash spill linked to breathing problems
A third of the people living near the toxic coal ash spill from a TVA power plant in East Tennessee are reporting respiratory problems, and about half have experienced increased stress and anxiety, according to a Tennessee Department of Health survey.
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090228/NEWS01/902280330
Yall from DAY 1 UMD has been handing out material handling sheets and advocating people be careful breathing this ash.
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090228/NEWS01/902280330
Yall from DAY 1 UMD has been handing out material handling sheets and advocating people be careful breathing this ash.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
TVA published their Corrective Action Plan TODAY!
http://www.tva.gov/kingston/cap/TVA_Corrective_Action_Plan_Draft_D5.pdf
TVA published their Corrective Action Plan TODAY!
TVA published their Corrective Action Plan TODAY!
Friday, February 27, 2009
A good Slide Show Documentary
see this story by Carlan Tapp....
http://www.carlantapp.com/tva1/index.html
http://www.carlantapp.com/tva1/index.html
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