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SW: →Alabama Proposes Coal Ash Regulation: - add section
Howard said revenue from the fee would be split evenly between the cities of Uniontown and Marion. Howard estimated the fee could raise as much as $15 million. If the legislation passes voters would have to approve the measure in their November 2010 election.<ref>[http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9E8IHSG0.htm "Alabama proposal would levy fee on dumped coal ash"] Associated Press, March 5, 2010</ref>
===TVA likely to raise rates to cover unexpected expenses===
In April 2009, TVA Chairman Bill Sansom said the company is facing "upward pressure" on its rates, stemming from several challenges:<ref name="pres">[http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jgkVTROMGlTT1PK6ZhQjLR-X0V_QD97B9C480 "TVA sees growing 'pressure' for higher rates,"] Associated Press, April 4, 2009.</ref>
* The company is facing millions of dollars in costs from the coal ash spill at [[Kingston Fossil Plant]] in Tennessee. TVA has already spent $68 million on cleanup, and it estimates the final cost could surpass $800 million, not including fines and lawsuits. The Associated Press reported on April 11 that TVA had already spent over $20 million purchasing 71 properties contaminated by the coal-ash spill and is negotiating to buy more.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/12/us/12spill.html?ref=global-home "Utility Rejects Many Requests as It Buys Land Tainted by Tennessee Coal-Ash Spill,"] Associated Press, April 11, 2009.</ref>
* In January 2009, a federal judge ruled that TVA is required to speed up its efforts to reduce emissions from four coal plants in North Carolina in [[North Carolina v. TVA]]. The company estimates that completing the necessary smokestack improvements by the 2014 deadline will cost $1.8 billion, which is about $1 billion higher than originally planned.
* TVA has seen a 5 percent decline in power sales stemming from the recession, predominantly with its industrial customers.
* The company's retirement fund has lost $3 billion in the stock market. TVA invested $81 million in the fund in 2008, but says it may need to invest an additional $300 million next year.
Although falling fuel prices have enabled TVA to cut much of a 20 percent rate increase that took effect in October 2008, the company is considering another increase in October 2009 to mitigate these expenses. TVA will set its fiscal 2010 budget and rate changes in August.<ref name="pres"/>
===TVA shipping coal ash from Tennessee disaster to Georgia and Alabama===
