"The Tennessee Valley Authority's Colbert and Widows Creek power plants have already burned their last piece of coal to generate electricity, but some environmentalists are worried that the tons of coal ash left behind in watery ponds could cause environmental problems long after the burners were turned off.

TVA announced plans last month to cover and leave in place retired coal ash impoundments at those and other non-active ash sites throughout Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky, including the retired plants at Colbert and Widows Creek.

TVA spokesman Scott Brooks said the utility determined that draining and covering the ash ponds was the "preferred alternative" to removing the coal ash, both from a financial and an environmental standpoint."

Dennis Pillion reports for Alabama Media Group July 13, 2016. [2]