What We've Learned

We continue to work for a statewide ban on underground slurry injections and a phase-out to the production of toxic slurry at coal preparation plants. The alternatives are there and are feasible for the industry to implement.

Every year, our lobbying efforts have educated more legislators and brought more allies to our side. This year, more than ever, we had powerful allies in both the House and Senate who took our lobbying efforts seriously and advocated for our legislative solutions.

We face a tough and powerful foe in the WV Coal Association. Our negotiation talks during the 2010 session showed the Sludge Safety Project that the industry will say one thing privately and, in public, fight like dogs to prevent any new regulations on their operations. This will never change.

Yet we are building power and making change in the WV Legislature. The one thing we heard from all our allies at the end of the long 2011 session was:

"Don't give up now! You're closer than you've ever been. We expect to see you here next year."