Groups kick off coal sludge impoundment safety campaign

Three West Virginia citizens’ groups have joined forces to work on a "Sludge Safety Project" aimed at lessening the health and safety problems coal waste impoundments pose for the state’s residents.

The Sludge Safety Project (SSP) is a collaborative effort of the Whitesville-based Coal River Mountain Watch, Delbarton Environmental Community Awareness Foundation and OVEC.

SSP will work to see that state policies are enacted to protect West Virginians from the dangers of coal sludge impoundments.

The project aims to increase awareness among state policy makers that something must be done about the clear threat of coal sludge impoundments.

In one of its first efforts, the group will deliver a letter to all state legislators asking for their help in beginning to develop plans to lessen the threats that coal sludge impoundments represent to human health and well-being, as well as the state’s economy and environment.