This article originally provided by The Register-Herald

July 25, 2006

DEP holds hearing on 2nd coal silo near Sundial school

Associated Press

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection heard arguments Monday night over whether a Massey Energy subsidiary should be allowed to build a second coal silo beside a Raleigh County elementary school.

Goals Coal Co.'s plan to build a 168-foot-tall silo 260 feet from Marsh Fork Elementary School drew protests last year from parents and residents concerned about the health and environmental impact of the silo. They have filed a class action lawsuit against Richmond, Va.-based Massey, claiming the coal dust is causing health problems for the students.

Opponents and supporters of the project crowded into the school's gymnasium Monday night for a public hearing on the project, The Register-Herald in Beckley reported.

"Our tax dollars are spent to assure protection for ourselves and our children," said Maria Gunnoe of Bob White, a member of the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition. "The laws on the books are being blatantly ignored. Tax dollars are being wasted on lax regulatory agencies. Why should we trust you to protect us?"

The DEP granted the company a permit last year, but rescinded it because a Massey engineer had enlarged the submitted map's permit boundary from previously approved permits.

The state Surface Mine Board upheld the DEP's decision and ordered Massey to submit accurate maps for the location.

"There shouldn't be a second time," said Hillary Hosta of Rock Creek, a member of Coal River Mountain Watch. "We're hearing the dangers, for a second time, about putting a silo behind a school. I am horribly insulted. This is a terrible thing to even think about — putting a second silo behind the school.

"We should be talking about putting a new, safe school in this community for these children."

Massey operates an identical silo, built in 2003, just 225 feet from the school. The silo stores coal and loads rail cars 150 feet from school grounds. After loading, the operation sprays a binding agent over the coal.

Andrea Cook, a parent of a student at the school and president of Marsh Fork Elementary's PTO, said she is a lifelong resident of the area and she has never had health problems.

"I've never been sick — not one time," she said.

Some in the crowd groaned when Cook said her father and grandfather, both of whom were coal miners, also never had health problems.

"This is my turn to speak, and you all will have your turn," she said. "You all don't know my family."