"Calling the Kingston fly-ash spill 'one of the largest and most serious environmental releases' in American history, the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Monday that federal regulators have reached an agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority to oversee the cleanup at the utility's power plant.

An order EPA issued under the federal Superfund law calls for TVA to reimburse EPA for its oversight costs. TVA's estimated tab for the cleanup is approaching $1 billion, excluding lawsuits and penalties."

Scott Barker and Michael Collins report for the Knoxville News May 12, 2009.