The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

October 9, 2009

Public supports Byrd’s rebuke of Massey over Raleigh County school

By Mannix Porterfield

There certainly is nothing scientific about it, but judging from the responses to his rebuke of Massey Energy over its refusal to share the cost of a new Raleigh County school, about 93 percent of the people agree with Sen. Robert C. Byrd.

Byrd ignited a controversy this week by scolding the Virginia-based coal giant for rejecting a suggestion by the Raleigh County school board that it share the cost of a proposed $5 million Marsh Fork Elementary School, since the existing one is about 300 feet from a Massey coal storage silo.

Some parents and other residents view the silo — and a planned second one — as a threat to the health of children and a community hazard.

Jesse Jacobs, communications director for Byrd, said Friday the senator had received about 75 telephone calls to his Washington office since the issue arose, and only five were in opposition.

That shakes out to an approval rate of about 93.2 percent.

Jacobs declined to discuss the content of the responses — pro or con — and said the office policy is not to release such communications. “The next step is up to Massey Energy,” he said.

“They will be judged by their actions as a good corporate citizen in West Virginia. They need to step up to the plate and meet their responsibility to help relocate these children at Marsh Fork Elementary out of harm’s way.”

Jeff Gillenwater, a spokesman for Massey Energy, said the firm already pays some $5 million monthly in taxes at its Marsh Fork area mines alone, and thus is contributing to new school construction.

Massey regarded as “upsetting” Byrd’s characterization of the firm as arrogant and greedy, pointing out in a statement it had taken a number of measures since acquiring the silo in 1994 from Peabody to make it safe and diminish any health threats.

— E-mail: mannix@register-herald.com

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