Coal Company in Tennessee fined for illegally dumping more than a million gallons of coal slurry into a river in the Cumberland Mountains

BRICEVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The state of Tennessee is fining a coal company for illegally dumping more than a million gallons of coal slurry into the New River in the Cumberland Mountains. The river is home to a fish and plant on the federal list of threatened species.

The Knoxville News Sentinel http://bit.ly/H01lhy is reporting that the state Department of Environment and Conservation is levying a base fine of $50,000 against Premium Coal. The company could pay an additional $196,000 unless it quickly upgrades its coal-washing operations.

State officials said the company never reported an incident in early January that discharged the slurry into the river and polluted it for miles Citizens tipped off authorities.

A call seeking comment on Wednesday was not immediately returned.

Information from: The Knoxville News Sentinel, http://www.knoxnews.com
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