Sadly, one of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) core responses to the massive ash spill in December and other recent mishaps will be to institute some form of e-mail control over its 50-person public relations staff. As per Epic Cover-Up at TVA Coal Plant, an internal memo was accidently sent to the wrong addressees. Th3 23 December “risk assessment talking points” provided classic PR language paths toward minimizing public concern and deflecting attention from the billion+ gallon spill.
- TVA should use the word “catastrophic” but speak of a “sudden, accidental release” to describe the “release of this large amount of material.”
According to University of Georgia “public relations specialist” Noel Holston
“I can’t imagine that anyone who sees these additions and deletions would not conclude that the final version is softer and less alarming than the earlier wording. The fact is they whittled away at this until it said something a little less frightening than what it originally said.”
Now, TVA’s senior VP for communications, Emily Reynolds, had this statement in response:
“From day one our priority has been to provide our stakeholders, especially Roane County residents, with accurate and timely information about the Kingston spill. TVA will continue to be open and transparent with the media and public in addressing questions and concerns … “
Sure, initially not telling people about the hazard risks of fly ash, downplaying water quality issues, etc … H
To give a feel, this video from 25 miles downstream from the spill.