Coal Impoundment Location and Warning System

www.coalimpoundment.org

The Coal Impoundment Location and Warning System is a pilot project developed by the:

• Robert C. Byrd National Technology Transfer Center • Wheeling Jesuit University• Center for Educational Technologies at Wheeling Jesuit• West Virginia University• National Energy Technology Laboratory

DANGER

Breaks in coal slurry impoundments can:

• Send millions of gallons of water and material downstream.

This dangerous potential looms over coal mining regions in West Virginia and throughout Appalachia.

• Threaten the lives and health of area residents.

• Destroy homes and businesses.

• Contaminate water supplies.

Source: Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition

DEADLY CONSEQUENCES

• 1972 Buffalo Creek hollow failure in Logan County, WV.

• 125 people were killed.

• More than 1,000 were injured.

• About 4,000 were left homeless.

• At least nine major spills in the Appalachian coalfields since this deadly spill, including the Martin County spill.

AS A RESULT

• 2002 National Research Council study entitled, “Coal Waste Impoundment Risk, Responses and Alternative.”

• Coal Impoundment Location and Warning System made possible.

A KEY RESOURCE

Coal Impoundment Project designed to:

• Identify coal impoundments in West Virginia.

• Alert residents of emergency situations and related evacuation plans.

• Improve safety and examine alternatives for impounding coal waste and sludge in the Mountain State.

Source: Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition

ACCURATE INFORMATION IS THE GOAL

Each company is required to file an emergency evacuation plan and escape routes. If information about your location is inaccurate or incomplete, let us know.

www.coalimpoundment.org

WHO TO CALL…WHERE TO GO

• Phone numbers

• Detailed description of what to do in an emergency

• Actions and responsibilities of first responders in case of evacuation

• Detailed interactive maps

Detailed emergency information is available on impoundments:

TECHNOLOGY

The Coal Impoundment Location and Warning System is also focused on reducing the number of existing impoundments by finding technologies that could lessen or alleviate the need for impoundments.

• Storage Alternatives

• Dry Coal Cleaning Methods

• Remediation/Waste Utilization

FROM SENATOR BYRD

"It is my hope that this pilot project will lead to innovative ways to reduce the risks for communities near these sites and for individuals who live there."

PROJECT CONTRIBUTORS

• Mine Safety and Health Administration • Peabody Energy

• West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection • Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition

• West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey • Verizon

• West Virginia Highlands Conservancy • Kentucky Dept. of Mines and Minerals

• Pennsylvania Bureau of Deep Mine Safety • Raleigh County 9-1-1

• Massey Energy Company • Coal River Mountain Watch

• WV Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training • Office of Surface Mining

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration • Consol Energy

• Virginia Dept. of Mines, Minerals and Energy

Do you know if you live near a coal impoundment?

Do you know where to go or whom to call if the impoundment fails?

To find out, visit www.coalimpoundment.org

ASK YOURSELF