Alabama Residents Sue Firms Over Coal Ash Dumping in Tennessee

A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of 64 Perry County, Ala. residents against the companies operating a landfill receiving coal ash from a spill in Tennessee.

The lawsuit filed in Perry County Circuit Court is against the owners and operators of Arrowhead Landfill. It was filed on behalf of residents living near the landfill who claim the odor, noise and pollution have harmed them.

The suit asks for a jury trial, with the amount of damages to be detrmined at trial.

Mike Smith, an attorney for defendants Phill-Con and Phillips and Jordan Inc., says they will continue to operate the landfill in compliance with all laws and regulations.

The toxic coal ash is coming from Kingston, Tenn., where at least 5 million cubic yards of the material spilled from a Tennessee Valley Authority holding pond in December 2008.