Print |
E-mail to a friend
NEWS BRIEFS
WV Senate to hear new info about Sludge Injection Study today
CHARLESTON — At 3 p.m. today, there will be a West Virginia Senate Oversight hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee Room, 208W, State Capitol about the Sludge Injection Study.
Aquatic Biologist Dr. Ben Stout (Wheeling Jesuit University) will do a presentation concerning new documents on coal slurry injection and human health.
Hearing immediately followed by Sludge Safety Project press conference.
On March 18, SSP released its Citizens’ Report on Underground Sludge Injection: Water, Health and Alternatives.
Documents presented to W. Va. Senate at this hearing will be amended into this report, since the documents present more evidence that “disposing” of coal slurry by injecting it into old abandoned mine workings is contaminating groundwater and endangering human health.
While the DEP drags its feet in completing the studies required by SCR15, SSP continues to gather evidence from the agency’s own records, which shows that companies are violating drinking water standards by pumping toxic coal sludge underground.
SSP believes the collected evidence, along with the new information to be presented at this hearing, should be enough information for West Virginia Legislators to put a moratorium on new coal slurry injection permits until the DEP and DHHR report on SCR15. SSP believes the findings of the study will dictate a permanent ban on underground coal slurry injection.
Two bills introduced during the 2009 Legislative Session sought to protect our children’s health and the health of future generations by limiting coal slurry. Senate Bill 568 would put a moratorium on underground coal slurry injection. House Bill 3279 would put a moratorium on the production of all liquid coal waste.
Employing alternative means of processing coal would produce jobs and cost coal companies 50 cents to one dollar per ton -- a small price to pay for health, safety and a future clean water supply.
SSP will continue to educate legislators and citizens, so that the 2010 Legislature will make the right decision, protect children, protect our health and stop underground slurry injection.
Go online at www.sludgesafety.org
