TVA has bought more than 70 properties near the Kingston plant where the coal ash spill happened in December, the agency announced Friday. About $20 million was paid for the total of about 225 acres bought, TVA spokesman Gil Francis said. The purchases run from less than one-quarter acre in size to more than 20 acres. Those just outside the immediate spill area who are asking for help are still in limbo, according to an attorney for several of them.

Others who have asked for TVA to buy their property but are not in the immediate area of the spill will be notified this week of the agency's decision, the notice said. Others who are also nearby and are affected are being shut out, said an attorney for some of those just outside the immediate area. "Thousands and thousands of other folks in Roane County impacted by the spill have not gotten any money from the TVA," said Mark Chalos, attorney with Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann & Bernstein law firm in Nashville, representing about 20 individuals, families and businesses. The firm has also filed a class action lawsuit, asking for medical monitoring of family members, environmental testing and compensation for any harm.

Learn more about the Kingston coal ash spill and the rights of affected property owners.