TVA ordered to clean up coal-fired plants

(CNN) - The Tennessee Valley Authority must now clean up four coal-fired
plants after a federal judge found the electric utility was engulfing parts of
North Carolina with air pollution - emissions that fouled the region's health,
economy and natural resources.

"I'm pleased that the court ordered the TVA to clean up the air pollution
coming from its plants closest to North Carolina," said N.C. Attorney General
Ray Cooper. "This will help our air, our health, and our travel and tourism
industry."

The Tuesday ruling from U.S. District Judge Lacy Thornburg of North
Carolina calls for the TVA, the federally-sponsored utility, to meet specific
time limits for pollution reduction at the plants closest to the state - three
in eastern Tennessee and one in Alabama. Thornburg also ordered the agency to
clean up faster and reduce pollution more than required under federal law.

The court concluded "that TVA's generation of power at low cost to the
consuming public has a high social utility" and says "the vast extent of the
harms caused in North Carolina by the secondary pollutants emitted by these
plants outweighs any utility that may exist from leaving their pollution
untreated."

TVA spokesman John Moulton told CNN that "TVA is disappointed by the
court's decision. We're continuing to analyze it. In the meantime, TVA is
committed to continue its work to improve the region's air quality."