Coal Ash Spill (IMAGE) Duke University Caption More than a billion gallons of coal ash was released into local soils, sediments and surface waters in eastern Tennessee following a spill at a Tennessee Valley Authority power plant in 2008. Credit Duke University Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.