The toxic spill that left a legacy of change

The Broadside

A decade ago, thousands of tons of toxic coal ash poured into the Dan River. The spill—the third largest of its kind in US history—was a devastating environmental disaster. But today, the event is perhaps best known for its legacy of legislation, as environmental activists and communities across North Carolina turned a local disaster into a national rallying cry for change.

Featuring:

• Celeste Gracia, Environmental Reporter at WUNC-North Carolina Public Radio
• Brian Williams, Program Manager at the Dan River Basin Association
• Tiffany Hayworth, Executive Director at the Dan River Basin Association
• Frank Holloman, Senior Attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center
• Amy Adams, former Campaign Coordinator at Appalachian Voices
• Bill Norton, Spokesperson at Duke Energy

Links:

• Check out Celeste’s recent reporting for WUNC on the ten year anniversary of the Dan River coal ash spill and its lasting impact on environmental policy.
• You can find a transcript of the episode here.

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