Business Briefs: TVA inspects four dams

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

photo TVA logo

TVA inspects four dams

The Tennessee Valley Authority will start inspecting another four of its 49 dams this month.

The geotechnical evaluations, the most comprehensive ever for TVA, will inspect the concrete, earth and rock structures of the Nickajack, Tims Ford, Wheeler and Guntersville dams.

TVA spokesman Scott Brooks said the dams are safe. "The health checks are part of a continuous improvement campaign to make sure TVA's dams meet today's stringent industry safety standards." he said.

Temporary road closures and other access restrictions may be necessary to ensure the safety of the public and the work crews at various phases of the project. Work at all four dams should be complete by March.

Dow spins off chlorine unit

Dow Chemical Co., the largest U.S. chemical maker and the world's biggest producer of chlorine, announced Monday it wants to sell or spinoff its $5 billion-a-year chlorine-related businesses to focus on higher-margin activities.

Dow, which operates 11 chlorine production sites around the globe, is looking at options for the business, including sales, joint ventures and spinoffs. Dow announced in October it expected to get $3 billion to $4 billion from asset sales within the next couple of years.

Olin Corp.'s Chlor Alkali division, which operates a chemical plant on the Hiwassee River near Charleston, Tenn., is one of the other major chlorine producers in the United States.