The Tennessee Valley Authority has won another victory in its court fight against lawsuits seeking damages in the Kingston, Tenn., plant coal ash spill.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Varlan in a ruling Tuesday said no to plaintiff attorneys seeking to join the suits in a class action.

The judge in Knoxville agreed with a magistrate's January recommendation.

A Dec. 22, 2008 dam breach spilled 5.4 million cubic yards of toxin-laden sludge in the Emory River and on land beside the plant west of Knoxville in Roane County.

TVA spokeswoman Barbara Martocci said Wednesday that TVA was "pleased" with the ruling.

Plaintiff attorneys did not return telephone messages seeking comment.