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This LTE originally provided by The Register-Herald
October 9, 2007
For sake of kids move Marsh Fork Elementary
Another sad and disappointing day in West Virginia has come with
Judge Bloom’s decision allowing Massey Energy to construct a second coal silo
behind Marsh Fork Elementary School. With all due respect to Judge Bloom, I have
to wonder if perhaps he would have made a different decision had he taken a
flyover of the school, known all the facts, or had a child or grandchild that
attended the school.
The cumulative impact of the various coal mining operations so near this school
far outweigh any interpretation of the law or lack of regulations.
It is not just about a second coal silo. Scientific proof (Ref. Simeton,
Sanderson, Seeburger report) has shown that these kids and staff members are
breathing coal dust. They are also breathing blasting dust and diesel fumes from
the locomotives loading the coal. They are exposed to airborne chemicals and
toxins that come from the preparation plant and have a 2.8 billion gallon sludge
dam pointed directly at them from just 400 yards away.
The coal dust inhaled into their lungs is of fine particulates that the body
cannot expel. This fine particulate coal dust has been processed with chemicals
and diesel fuel through the preparation plant. Those same chemicals and diesel,
are on and in the coal dust these children are breathing.
In addition to these hazards, there is a highly active 1,849-acre mountain top
removal operation around and above the sludge dam. Daily blasting around this
dam and sediment runoff does not make it safer, and may possibly be a part of a
disaster in the making.
Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship has been quoted in the news as saying he will
not proceed with the second silo until he meets with the governor’s office and
school officials. Mr. Blankenship has also been quoted as saying that coal silos
are good for the environment because they reduce coal dust. It is true they do
reduce coal dust as compared to an open stock pile, but they do not eliminate it
all together.
According to the Massey Energy submitted application, this new silo operation
will emit approximately 7,000 pounds of coal dust per year. That is in addition
to what these kids are already breathing.
The implications of a second silo are clear. A second silo means more delivery
of coal either by belt or truck from other mine sites. There will be more coal
processing, more coal loading, more chemicals, more diesel fuel and fumes, more
blasting near the dam above the school, more coal waste, and more coal dust in
these children’s developing lungs.
But maybe, just maybe, the governor and Mr. Blankenship will place the welfare
of these children ahead of any political differences they may have and build
these kids, teachers, and staff a new school in their community. Naoma, Dry
Creek, or Rock Creek would provide a great, and safe, location for these kids.
The governor has a campaign slogan of “Kids First.” Mr. Blankenship created and
financed the campaign “For the Sake of the Kids.” It would be a blissful and
refreshing day in West Virginia for them to prove those slogans are not hollow
words by announcing the relocation of Marsh Fork Elementary School.
Bo Webb
Naoma
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