The following link will take you to the slurry injection map site. This does not include the 15 active sites, which I will put on here soon.
http://www.sludgesafety.org/maps/slurry_sites_wv.pdf
Another link from You Tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al-li0EPrt8&feature=channel_page
Is Storing Coal Slurry in Mines Truly Safe?
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200903210428
One more of interesting note from Webster Springs, WV
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200903140628
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Clay Town Hall Meeting
A large crowd of interested citizens of Clay county residents, county officials and their state representatives met at the Lion's club community center to discuss concerns, hopes and aspirations for the future of Clay County. The legislative delegation fielded questions from the audience regarding, roads, education, economic development, and other issues of importance to the citizens of Clay.
This past Saturday, Delegate David Walker, along with Clay County Commissioners Fran King, Mike Pierson and Jerry Linkinnoger hosted the Town Hall meeting. Clay county's legislative delegation was on hand to field questions from residents. Present were Senators Bill Laird and Randy White, Delegates David Walker, Margaret Staggers, David Perry, and Tom Louisios.
The meeting started off with presentations of grant awards to the community of $118,000. $100,000 for a 4-H building at the county park in Maysel, $3,000 for assistance to the Humane Society, and $15,000 to the Town of Clay for sidewalks, beautification, and other improvements for the downtown.
Residents from Lizemores, Beaumont, and Big Otter were interested in extending water in their communities. Suggestions were made to citizens to work closely with Region 6 Planning and Development Council for funding through the Small Cities Block Grant (SCBG) and Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) programs. Senator Randy White reported that statewide SCBG has $20 million available and the AML program has $18 million this year. However, the AML will grow to over $45 million in the next several years. Both are very competitive, but good water for all citizens is a most worthwhile goal.
Delegate David Walker reported on a recent meeting with Secretary Randy Huffman, WV Department of Environmental Protection and Clay county's legislative delegation. He reported the DEP has committed to complete the necessary study so that trout stocking could begin on the tributaries of Buffalo Creek, (i.e. Laurel Creek).
Delegate Dave Perry and Senator Bill Laird spoke on legislation to limit funding for the Promise scholarship. Delegate Perrry reported that there was not much support for the Governor's initiative to limit the program. Senator Laird stated "the Promise scholarship is having the affect of getting kids into college and the state's needs-based grant program was helping students from families with less means to obtain a post-secondary education." Both programs are receiving roughly equal funding of approximately $20 million.
All agreed the state needed to continue efforts for job creation. Senator White reported recent county initiatives have established locally owned and operated business parks within the district. Webster county has an 88 acre business park, Fayette county's Wolf Creek Park -500 acres, and Nicholas county's Glade Creek business park 180 acres, were now underway with the potential for major economic expansion. Senator White suggested that Clay county through the Clay Business Development Authority likewise, identify property within the county to establish a business park with more than 10 developable acres. "I firmly believe, that if you build it, they will come," stated White. Clay county's geographic location and interstate access make Clay county unique in the district with much potential. Additionally, it was stressed that Clay county hire a full-time economic developer to promote their efforts and work with the WV Development Office. There are monies presenlty devoted to the Clay Business Development Authority and matched by the WV Development office to promote economic development.
Elizabeth Sampsom circulated a petition for guardrails on Route 4 along the Elk River between Ivydale and Clay. Many residents expressed concern for road improvements, i.e. cleaning ditches, paving, pothole repairs, and bridge replacements. While the State Road Fund has diminished over the years, the delegation agreed to work with them to address their needs.
Another discusssion circulated around legislation of surface owner's rights in relation to oil and gas companies. The present law allows gas/oil drilling companies to enter ones property and begin drilling operations with a 15 day notice. Little communication with the surface owner is now required. The legislation pending before the Legislature would require a 30 day notice. Additionally, the driller would have to contact the land owner and work out a plan on locating roads, drilling operations, etc., so as to limit disturbing the surface owner's right to enjoyment and economic value of the surface property. Senator White reported that in past years leases with oil and gas companies were going for $5 and $10 an acre. Recent development and finds in the Marcellus shale of West Virginia has landowners throughout WV now receiving upwards of $1000 an acre.
The meeting in Clay was a very informative discussion. It is the hope of the legislators that attended that it can be done again in the future.
This past Saturday, Delegate David Walker, along with Clay County Commissioners Fran King, Mike Pierson and Jerry Linkinnoger hosted the Town Hall meeting. Clay county's legislative delegation was on hand to field questions from residents. Present were Senators Bill Laird and Randy White, Delegates David Walker, Margaret Staggers, David Perry, and Tom Louisios.
The meeting started off with presentations of grant awards to the community of $118,000. $100,000 for a 4-H building at the county park in Maysel, $3,000 for assistance to the Humane Society, and $15,000 to the Town of Clay for sidewalks, beautification, and other improvements for the downtown.
Residents from Lizemores, Beaumont, and Big Otter were interested in extending water in their communities. Suggestions were made to citizens to work closely with Region 6 Planning and Development Council for funding through the Small Cities Block Grant (SCBG) and Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) programs. Senator Randy White reported that statewide SCBG has $20 million available and the AML program has $18 million this year. However, the AML will grow to over $45 million in the next several years. Both are very competitive, but good water for all citizens is a most worthwhile goal.
Delegate David Walker reported on a recent meeting with Secretary Randy Huffman, WV Department of Environmental Protection and Clay county's legislative delegation. He reported the DEP has committed to complete the necessary study so that trout stocking could begin on the tributaries of Buffalo Creek, (i.e. Laurel Creek).
Delegate Dave Perry and Senator Bill Laird spoke on legislation to limit funding for the Promise scholarship. Delegate Perrry reported that there was not much support for the Governor's initiative to limit the program. Senator Laird stated "the Promise scholarship is having the affect of getting kids into college and the state's needs-based grant program was helping students from families with less means to obtain a post-secondary education." Both programs are receiving roughly equal funding of approximately $20 million.
All agreed the state needed to continue efforts for job creation. Senator White reported recent county initiatives have established locally owned and operated business parks within the district. Webster county has an 88 acre business park, Fayette county's Wolf Creek Park -500 acres, and Nicholas county's Glade Creek business park 180 acres, were now underway with the potential for major economic expansion. Senator White suggested that Clay county through the Clay Business Development Authority likewise, identify property within the county to establish a business park with more than 10 developable acres. "I firmly believe, that if you build it, they will come," stated White. Clay county's geographic location and interstate access make Clay county unique in the district with much potential. Additionally, it was stressed that Clay county hire a full-time economic developer to promote their efforts and work with the WV Development Office. There are monies presenlty devoted to the Clay Business Development Authority and matched by the WV Development office to promote economic development.
Elizabeth Sampsom circulated a petition for guardrails on Route 4 along the Elk River between Ivydale and Clay. Many residents expressed concern for road improvements, i.e. cleaning ditches, paving, pothole repairs, and bridge replacements. While the State Road Fund has diminished over the years, the delegation agreed to work with them to address their needs.
Another discusssion circulated around legislation of surface owner's rights in relation to oil and gas companies. The present law allows gas/oil drilling companies to enter ones property and begin drilling operations with a 15 day notice. Little communication with the surface owner is now required. The legislation pending before the Legislature would require a 30 day notice. Additionally, the driller would have to contact the land owner and work out a plan on locating roads, drilling operations, etc., so as to limit disturbing the surface owner's right to enjoyment and economic value of the surface property. Senator White reported that in past years leases with oil and gas companies were going for $5 and $10 an acre. Recent development and finds in the Marcellus shale of West Virginia has landowners throughout WV now receiving upwards of $1000 an acre.
The meeting in Clay was a very informative discussion. It is the hope of the legislators that attended that it can be done again in the future.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Sens. White and Laird Oppose New CTC Legislation
The passage of Senate Bill 536 could mean more changes for the administration and structure of the Community and Technical College at West Virginia University Institute of Technology. The bill would unite the community college with the Community and Technical College at West Virginia State University. The goal of the unification would be to decrease costs and to increase efficiency and the amount of funding for programs in the resulting community college.
Senator Randy White (D - Webster) and Senator William Laird IV (D-Fayette) are openly opposed to this bill. “This institution has taken the brunt of the constant reinvention of the higher education system in our state,” Sen. Laird said in the committee meeting on Monday. “There have been too many changes in the past two years for any kind of stabilization to occur with WVU Tech. We need time to give programs the chance to succeed, rather than moving on to another plan when the previous does not immediately yield results.”
Two amendments offered by Senator White were voted on before the bill was passed in the Education Committee meeting. The first passed, which adds the requirement of performing a cost analysis for either merger or consolidation of the separate institutions, executed by the Council. The second amendment failed, which would have required a full time equivalent (FTE) enrollment of 500 to1000 to be considered as a consolidation and a FTE of under 500 to be considered as merger.
“A consolidation or merger would not help either institution,” Sen. White said. “The region that WVU Tech serves has a very delicate economic situation. I fear that any changes may so negatively affect the Upper Kanawha Valley that the citizens will feel the aftershock of such a transformation.”
The bill passed through the Senate Education committee on Monday, and is due to be discussed in the Finance Committee in the coming weeks.
Those wanting to gain more knowledge concerning this issue may contact the offices of Senators Laird and White. Senator Laird may be reached at (304) 357-7849 and Senator White may be reached at (304) 357 - 7906.
Senator Randy White (D - Webster) and Senator William Laird IV (D-Fayette) are openly opposed to this bill. “This institution has taken the brunt of the constant reinvention of the higher education system in our state,” Sen. Laird said in the committee meeting on Monday. “There have been too many changes in the past two years for any kind of stabilization to occur with WVU Tech. We need time to give programs the chance to succeed, rather than moving on to another plan when the previous does not immediately yield results.”
Two amendments offered by Senator White were voted on before the bill was passed in the Education Committee meeting. The first passed, which adds the requirement of performing a cost analysis for either merger or consolidation of the separate institutions, executed by the Council. The second amendment failed, which would have required a full time equivalent (FTE) enrollment of 500 to1000 to be considered as a consolidation and a FTE of under 500 to be considered as merger.
“A consolidation or merger would not help either institution,” Sen. White said. “The region that WVU Tech serves has a very delicate economic situation. I fear that any changes may so negatively affect the Upper Kanawha Valley that the citizens will feel the aftershock of such a transformation.”
The bill passed through the Senate Education committee on Monday, and is due to be discussed in the Finance Committee in the coming weeks.
Those wanting to gain more knowledge concerning this issue may contact the offices of Senators Laird and White. Senator Laird may be reached at (304) 357-7849 and Senator White may be reached at (304) 357 - 7906.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Unknown Water Needs Attention
Last Thursday, I made a floor speech regarding Senate Bill 568. Most of you may recall that it was the day I drank coal slurry on the Senate floor. Why did I do it? I did it to show that this is a serious issue and a potential health hazard in our community. Water is one of the most basic needs that humans have. If a human is in a situation where access to water is unsafe, it has a major effect on how they live or whether they continue to live at all.
Coal slurry is the wastewater created after water is used to clean coal of impurities after it is mined. Some of the chemicals that compose coal slurry include aluminum, arsenic, mercury, chromium, lead, cadmium, boron, selenium and nickel.
Exposure to these chemicals has been proven to cause cancer, gastrointestinal problems and serious damage with the nervous system.We currently know that these chemicals are present in slurry injection sites, but it is currently unknown how much of each chemical is present and how extensive the harm may be to humans and wildlife.
Studies that have taken place in Rawls, which is in Mingo County, yielded samples with hazardous chemicals present. The amount of chemicals in these samples are exponentially higher than the standard the national government clarifies as safe water to drink.
There are 15 active coal slurry injection sites across the state, each affecting the local groundwater systems. All sites are within abandoned mines and all are near areas that could potentially harm citizens.
In 2007, former Senator Hunter and I introduced and the Legislature passed SCR 15, a study resolution, that required the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to gather and analyze water samples from injections sites throughout the state. The DEP has failed to report their findings through three deadlines.
Senate Bill 568 would force them to finally report those findings. Through Senate Bill 568, we can pressure the DEP to finish these reports in the quest to get a real answer in regards to how many toxins are lurking in these waters. It also would place a moratorium, or a delay, on any new permits for underground slurry injections or any modifications to existing slurry injection permits before the research is completed.
The bottle of coal slurry that I drank on the Senate floor is, sadly, too similar to what many citizens of West Virginians use to cook and drink every day. I can tell you from experience that it was rather disgusting to taste, but no one knows what kind of havoc this toxic water can cause internally with continued exposure.
With the completion of the reports from the DEP, we can take action to make a change to keep water safe for West Virginians.
Coal slurry is the wastewater created after water is used to clean coal of impurities after it is mined. Some of the chemicals that compose coal slurry include aluminum, arsenic, mercury, chromium, lead, cadmium, boron, selenium and nickel.
Exposure to these chemicals has been proven to cause cancer, gastrointestinal problems and serious damage with the nervous system.We currently know that these chemicals are present in slurry injection sites, but it is currently unknown how much of each chemical is present and how extensive the harm may be to humans and wildlife.
Studies that have taken place in Rawls, which is in Mingo County, yielded samples with hazardous chemicals present. The amount of chemicals in these samples are exponentially higher than the standard the national government clarifies as safe water to drink.
There are 15 active coal slurry injection sites across the state, each affecting the local groundwater systems. All sites are within abandoned mines and all are near areas that could potentially harm citizens.
In 2007, former Senator Hunter and I introduced and the Legislature passed SCR 15, a study resolution, that required the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to gather and analyze water samples from injections sites throughout the state. The DEP has failed to report their findings through three deadlines.
Senate Bill 568 would force them to finally report those findings. Through Senate Bill 568, we can pressure the DEP to finish these reports in the quest to get a real answer in regards to how many toxins are lurking in these waters. It also would place a moratorium, or a delay, on any new permits for underground slurry injections or any modifications to existing slurry injection permits before the research is completed.
The bottle of coal slurry that I drank on the Senate floor is, sadly, too similar to what many citizens of West Virginians use to cook and drink every day. I can tell you from experience that it was rather disgusting to taste, but no one knows what kind of havoc this toxic water can cause internally with continued exposure.
With the completion of the reports from the DEP, we can take action to make a change to keep water safe for West Virginians.
The Legislature Today
It is with a heavy heart that I recognize two men that died doing what they did best, fighting fires to ensure the safety of their fellow citizens. Lt. Johnnie Hammons and Timothy Nicholas, of Craigsville, were honorable men who sacrificed everything in the line of duty and for that they should be recognized by the public as heroes. I appreciate everything that the firefighters in our district do to make our lives safe from dangers that they consider the equivalent of a normal day on the job. I commend both the firefighters who have fallen in the past and those who are currently in service. It takes a lot of gumption to do what you do, and for that I admire and commend you.
As of Thursday in the Senate, 396 bills have been introduced. The committees have been busy discussing, amending and sending bills to other committees for more consideration. In the finance committee this week, we have heard from the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, the Department of Education and The Arts, the Department of Administration and the WV School Building Authority. All meetings were held mostly in regards to budgetary concerns.
The Education Committee is extremely busy this week because we are working to provide the students of West Virginia a complete 180 day school year. On Thursday, there was a joint committee meeting held to discuss possible plans on how to maintain such a schedule. Of the bills introduced this week, I have cosponsored 13 .
One of these is Senate Bill 301, which would adopt green building standards for the construction and renovation of public buildings over 50,000 square feet. This is an important bill because it is an important step toward saving the environment. It is also a step toward becoming more energy efficient, which can save more money for other projects.
Senate Bill 328 would create the West Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank. If passed, the bank would provide loans and other financial assistance for transportation infrastructure. This is such an important bill for the Senate to consider because we need to be more organized in handling the money we use for infrastructure and I believe that this will be the perfect instrument to perform this task.
Here is a list of other bills that I have sponsored so far this week: -Senate Bill 307 would establish an advisory council on maternal risk assessment and calls for the development of a system to provide better evaluation of high-risk pregnancies. -Senate Bill 294 would more concisely define abuse and neglect of the elderly and incapacitated to better provide protection from unnecessary death. -Senate Bill 300 would allow counties and municipalities to enter into energy-saving contracts, because current law only allows the state to do this. -Senate Bill 298 would increase funds from $1 million to $2 million for the Enhanced 911 Wireless Tower Assistance Fund to subsidize the construction of wireless towers.
I also would like to take the chance to invite the students of the district to participate in the Page Program here at the Capitol. It is a wonderful chance to spend a day learning about the state government and I am looking forward to working with any student who would like to take advantage of this program. Please feel free to contact me if you know a student who would be interested in participating.
As always, I encourage anyone with questions, comments or suggestions the people in the 11th district. I can be reached at my office in the Capitol at (304) 357-7906 and through e-mail at randy.white@wvsenate.gov.
As of Thursday in the Senate, 396 bills have been introduced. The committees have been busy discussing, amending and sending bills to other committees for more consideration. In the finance committee this week, we have heard from the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, the Department of Education and The Arts, the Department of Administration and the WV School Building Authority. All meetings were held mostly in regards to budgetary concerns.
The Education Committee is extremely busy this week because we are working to provide the students of West Virginia a complete 180 day school year. On Thursday, there was a joint committee meeting held to discuss possible plans on how to maintain such a schedule. Of the bills introduced this week, I have cosponsored 13 .
One of these is Senate Bill 301, which would adopt green building standards for the construction and renovation of public buildings over 50,000 square feet. This is an important bill because it is an important step toward saving the environment. It is also a step toward becoming more energy efficient, which can save more money for other projects.
Senate Bill 328 would create the West Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank. If passed, the bank would provide loans and other financial assistance for transportation infrastructure. This is such an important bill for the Senate to consider because we need to be more organized in handling the money we use for infrastructure and I believe that this will be the perfect instrument to perform this task.
Here is a list of other bills that I have sponsored so far this week: -Senate Bill 307 would establish an advisory council on maternal risk assessment and calls for the development of a system to provide better evaluation of high-risk pregnancies. -Senate Bill 294 would more concisely define abuse and neglect of the elderly and incapacitated to better provide protection from unnecessary death. -Senate Bill 300 would allow counties and municipalities to enter into energy-saving contracts, because current law only allows the state to do this. -Senate Bill 298 would increase funds from $1 million to $2 million for the Enhanced 911 Wireless Tower Assistance Fund to subsidize the construction of wireless towers.
I also would like to take the chance to invite the students of the district to participate in the Page Program here at the Capitol. It is a wonderful chance to spend a day learning about the state government and I am looking forward to working with any student who would like to take advantage of this program. Please feel free to contact me if you know a student who would be interested in participating.
As always, I encourage anyone with questions, comments or suggestions the people in the 11th district. I can be reached at my office in the Capitol at (304) 357-7906 and through e-mail at randy.white@wvsenate.gov.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
