STATE BRIEFS

KINGSPORT – A chemical company has been cited by Tennessee regulators for violations involving explosions at a coal gasification plant in October.

The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration said in a report released Monday that Eastman Chemical Co. was cited for four “serious” violations.

News outlets reported thar one violation concerning a faulty valve resulted in a $2,400 fine. There were no fines for the three others, which included not performing inspections and tests on process equipment.

Eastman spokeswoman Betty Payne said in an email that company representatives were reviewing the proposed citations and working with the TOSHA on the final outcome.

Eastman said no injuries were reported beyond first aid in the Kingsport facility explosions. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation said there had been a “malfunction”

Recreational boat builder expanding into rural Tennessee

RIDGELY – Officials say Excel Boat Company is investing $9 million in a manufacturing facility in Tennessee.

Gov. Bill Haslam said Monday that the boat builder plans to create nearly 200 jobs with the 100,000-square-foot facility in Ridgely, a town of about 1,800 people in rural Lake County. Construction will begin in July and the facility is expected to be working in 2019.

Headquartered in Mountain View, Arkansas, Excel makes high-end aluminum boats for recreation. Officials said the facility will produce an expanded line of hunting, fishing and recreational boats, as well as boat trailers, wiring harnesses, upholstery and other products.

In a statement, Haslam said the new facility and the jobs it brings with it “will be transformational for Lake County.” — Associated Press