The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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October 3, 2009

Massey says don’t expect help to build new school

Spokesman says company pays millions in taxes that could help finance project

By Mannix Porterfield

Don’t look for Massey Energy to dip into its corporate account and write a check to help build a new Marsh Fork elementary school, as some education leaders have suggested.

For several years, the school has been a source of contention between parents and coalfield activists over their fears that a nearby Massey coal storage silo poses a potential menace to school children.

Just this week, some school officials in Raleigh County tossed out the idea of building a new school and asking Massey to help defray the costs, since a coal storage silo run by the firm’s Goals Coal Co. is a short distance from the existing school.

About the only thing that surfaced in the board meeting that Massey found agreement with was board president Rick Snuffer’s characterization of the issue as “political.”

From that point on, Massey and the school board are far apart.

“Massey pays millions of dollars in taxes each year that are available for projects such as this,” spokesman Jeff Gillenwater said.

“In fact, just the mines in the Marsh Fork area pay nearly $5 million per month in severance, property and other state taxes.”

That amount is the same figure quoted as needed to build a new Marsh Fork school.

Massey is planning to erect a second silo in the vicinity. Environmental forces maintain the mining firm’s presence there poses health hazards to children.

A board member, Gordie Roop, suggested at this week’s meeting that the county call on Massey to see if the coal producer would be willing to share the cost of constructing a new school. Board members talked of approaching CEO Don Blankenship directly about getting a donation for a new school.

But the idea apparently didn’t resonate at corporate headquarters in Richmond, Va.

“We remain committed to the well-being and education of students throughout Appalachia through our ongoing financial contributions and community involvement,” Gillenwater said.

“We agree with school board president Rick Snuffer, in that this has become more of a political issue.”

— E-mail: mannix@register-herald.com

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