Monday, June 11, 2012

Mediation fails in lawsuit over W.Va. coal slurry pollution; Massey claims headed for trial

Kevin Thompson, attorney for the Mingo County, WV community affected by water contamination: “The water in Rawl is a toxic soup made up of heavy metals like arsenic, manganese, berium, lead that are known to cause all sorts of health problems.” “Instead of properly disposing of the waste, Massey chose to store the toxic sludge produced by their coal processing plants in the people’s bodies, for the sole purpose of saving money”. Brenda McCoy, former miner and resident of a nearby town within the affected area: “My husband died of pancreatitis, I have become sick with multiple tumors and gastrointestinal diseases, my daughter Amber has been suffering from respiratory illnesses and seizures doctors have never managed to explain”. “I am angry at the coal company but at the same time I am very upset with my government. Our government didn’t protect its citizens”. Donetta Blankenship, resident of Rawl, WV, almost died of liver failure in 2006. “The doctor told me that, at only 38, I was already a walking dead”. Ronnie Jenkins, resident of Boone County, another WV community affected by water pollution, showing the effect of a hot water tank burst at his friend's house: “This is what comes out of our hot water tanks, this is the water we have! Terry Keith, grandmother of three: “Our kids would play in the water a long time before we learned that there was something wrong with it. I even made baby formula with that water. Barbara Sebok, great-grandmother of three and resident of Boone County: “Our water smells like iron or rotten eggs, when we take it out of the hot water tank it is coal black. I used to make coffee with that water”. Mattew Louis-Rosenberg of the Prenter Water Fund delivering water to the polluted communities: “Not everyone would accept our water delivery. Some of the residents, especially the ones working for the coal industry, are afraid of retaliation”. Ronnie Jenkins, resident of Seth, WV, showing the water coming out of his hot water tank: “When I first moved here I said … God this water stinks! Mining operations shake these houses. They shake the ground, and whatever is in the ground goes down into the water table and then into the well and into the drinking water people use on a daily basis”. NYSCA - 2010 Grantee2


Comments:  Coal Mining ruins well, so will uranium mining and milling, Keep the Ban!


  • THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • First Posted: May 23, 2012 - 10:52 am
    Last Updated: May 23, 2012 - 10:53 am


    • Circuit Judge William Thompson has consolidated 155 medical monitoring lawsuits involving about 350 people and tentatively scheduled trial for June 12.
    Attorney Roger Decanio said Wednesday the case against Massey Energy and four subsidiaries is headed for trial.
    The companies are now owned by Virginia-based Alpha Natural Resources.
    The other operators originally sued have agreed to confidential settlements but denied responsibility for the problems.

    Kevin Thompson, attorney for the Mingo County, WV community affected by water contamination: “The water in Rawl is a toxic soup made up of heavy metals like arsenic, manganese, berium, lead that are known to cause all sorts of health problems.” “Instead of properly disposing of the waste, Massey chose to store the toxic sludge produced by their coal processing plants in the people’s bodies, for the sole purpose of saving money”. Brenda McCoy, former miner and resident of a nearby town within the affected area: “My husband died of pancreatitis, I have become sick with multiple tumors and gastrointestinal diseases, my daughter Amber has been suffering from respiratory illnesses and seizures doctors have never managed to explain”. “I am angry at the coal company but at the same time I am very upset with my government. Our government didn’t protect its citizens”. Donetta Blankenship, resident of Rawl, WV, almost died of liver failure in 2006. “The doctor told me that, at only 38, I was already a walking dead”. Ronnie Jenkins, resident of Boone County, another WV community affected by water pollution, showing the effect of a hot water tank burst at his friend's house: “This is what comes out of our hot water tanks, this is the water we have! Terry Keith, grandmother of three: “Our kids would play in the water a long time before we learned that there was something wrong with it. I even made baby formula with that water. Barbara Sebok, great-grandmother of three and resident of Boone County: “Our water smells like iron or rotten eggs, when we take it out of the hot water tank it is coal black. I used to make coffee with that water”. Mattew Louis-Rosenberg of the Prenter Water Fund delivering water to the polluted communities: “Not everyone would accept our water delivery. Some of the residents, especially the ones working for the coal industry, are afraid of retaliation”. Ronnie Jenkins, resident of Seth, WV, showing the water coming out of his hot water tank: “When I first moved here I said … God this water stinks! Mining operations shake these houses. They shake the ground, and whatever is in the ground goes down into the water table and then into the well and into the drinking water people use on a daily basis”. NYSCA - 2010 Grantee2

    Residents of Seth and Prenter say mining activities, including the underground injection of coal slurry, are to blame for discolored, foul-smelling well water and health problems.

    The plaintiffs are now served by public water lines and no longer rely on their wells for consumption.

    http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/209ed07c0eba41de9e681cfae1cb3f74/WV--Coal-Slurry-Lawsuit/

    Coal Rush


    Coal Rush is a documentary following the progress of a multi-million dollar case against the coal company Massey Energy, accused of covert contamination of drinking water in the Southern West Virginia coalfields.

    The plaintiffs, more than 500 residents of Mingo County, are plagued by widespread health problems, such as abnormal rates of cancer, liver failures, and neurological diseases. They claim that for more than 30 years they have been secretly poisoned by illegal dumping of coal slurry underground by major US coal producer Massey Energy.

    In addition to the legal battle, Coal Rush brings a major story of human suffering into focus. Struggling against extreme poverty and life-threatening illnesses, the communities affected by water contamination find their voice as the story unfolds, just as the country enters into a “clean energy” debate in which many invested interests and ecological risks are at stake.

    The film unveils how communities in the coalfields are split over coal’s costs and benefits. Interviews and verite’ action from both sides are shown, as Coal Rush gives voice to those who oppose the muscle of Big Coal, the only industry in the region, as well as pro-coal activists in their quest to

    http://coalrushmovie.com/