Buckhannon, WV. A new strip mine/power plant complex proposed for Upshur County that was recently announced has several hurdles yet to clear, and needs more scrutiny, said representatives from the West Virginia Rivers Coalition and the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy.

The announcement in Buckhannon on June 14 by Anker Energy, Dominion, and the Governor appears hasty, since no major permits have been issued for the project. "The jury is still out on this one," said Nathan Fetty of the West Virginia Rivers Coalition. "The only permit that’s been issued for this project is a three-acre test permit for mining. The bigger strip mine permits hinge on results from the test permit, and we won’t see those results for several months. Plus, the companies haven’t applied for their air emissions permit."

"We have seen similar announcements in the late 1970's and 1980's in Upshur County. These promises of prosperity from new and improved strip mining methods have resulted in serious pollution of the surface and ground water that now costs companies, the state and downstream users millions of dollars annually to treat. Some 3,000 acres at the Tenmile, DLM and Kittle Flats sites are reclaimed but continue to ooze acid mine drainage," said Cindy Rank of the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy. "It is extremely important to have careful review and planning to prevent more of the same."

The Upshur Property site has a long history of devastating acid mine drainage (AMD) problems, and the technology that Anker Energy proposes for negating AMD is unproven. Tenmile Creek used to sustain native brook trout, but the stream is dead because of AMD from Upshur Property. The Middle Fork River has improved only because of extensive treatment. It is still impaired by AMD from nearby coal mines, and if this treatment was stopped, the river could not sustain trout and other fish. Anker has hired an independent consultant, on recommendation by environmental groups, to evaluate this plan, and the consultant has yet to complete his work.

The proposed power plant will depend on a continuous supply of coal from additional strip mining in this acid-prone area to fuel the operation, as well as depend on thousands of tons of limestone trucked into the area. Anker Energy has not yet demonstrated that mining can proceed without creating more AMD problems. Drinking water supplies for both Philippi and Buckhannon are downstream. Fisheries in both the Buckhannon River and the Middle Fork River as far downstream as Audra State Park have been impaired by AMD from recent mining at Tenmile, Alton, Cassity, Kittle Flats and Sago.

Expanded sources of acid must be avoided. DEP (West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection) must deny any new permits where AMD is likely to occur, and be able to halt mining if AMD unexpectedly occurs.

"DEP needs to put the brakes on and evaluate this more closely. Even though the Governor’s announcement of this plan comes prior to the mining and air permits being approved, we are hopeful that the environmental regulators will not sign off on a potentially hazardous project," continued Fetty.

Many questions exist about how a new coal-fired power plant will affect the air quality of the local area, and not result in additional acid rain in sensitive areas to the East in the Monongahela National Forest. Currently, West Virginia has lost over 200 miles of native trout streams because of acid rain. Wilderness Areas such as Dolly Sods and Otter Creek are already at acid precipitation thresholds, and there are questions as to how additional air emissions from a new coal fired power plant will affect those sensitive places. Plus, it’s unclear how Anker Energy, Dominion and the DEP plan to address emissions of heavy metals like lead and mercury.

"This proposed project is especially disconcerting because we don’t know what the long-term environmental impacts will be," said Rank. "We’re very skeptical because of the tremendous harm already done by strip mining in the past. There have been lots of attempts to safely mine coal at Tenmile, and not a single one has worked. Opening up another 10,000 to 12,000 acres to strip mining is asking for trouble."

The organizations also noted the project is troubling because mining such a problematic area is tied closely into the power plant and potential creation of jobs. "Down the road, if there are problems with the mine and AMD or air emissions, how will these companies keep fueling the power plant and employing people? At this point these companies are asking Upshur County citizens to assume a huge risk," said Fetty. "This area of the state knows all too well the boom and bust of the coal industry, and this project could be more of the same."

"We’ve heard Governor Wise talk about a balance between economic development and the environment, and we support this notion so long as it is a true balance. We want to be confident that the proposed technology protects the environment and the people who exist in that environment before this project moves forward," said Rank.