WHAT YOU NEED NOW - CONTENT UPDATED THROUGH THE DAY
Dec. 22, 2005
New Look for Coal Impoundment Web Site
By HNN Staff
Wheeling, WV (HNN) – The Coal Impoundment Location and Warning System Web
site (www.coalimpoundment.com) has a new look, making it easier for West
Virginia citizens to find the latest information on the coal impoundments in
the state.
“The redesigned site features the latest information on coal impoundments in
West Virginia, and offers easy navigation so residents can find the latest
news or information and related evacuation plans,” says J. Davitt McAteer.
“This site also provides specific information about the impoundments in
residents’ communities, and identifies technologies to improve the safety of
these impoundments,” he added. McAteer is Director of the Coal Impoundment
Project and Vice President for Sponsored Programs at Wheeling Jesuit
University. McAteer is former chief of the U.S. Department of Labor Mine
Safety and Health Administration.
The Coal Impoundment Location Warning System Web site is part of the
CoalImpoundment Project, a pilot project developed by the National
Technology Transfer Center, the Center for Educational Technologies®,
Wheeling Jesuit University, West Virginia University and the National Energy
Technology Laboratory, and funded through the efforts of Sen. Robert C.
Byrd. Coal impoundments serve a basic need to the coal-mining industry: to
store water and waste created during the mining process. Inherent in their
existence, though, are risks, including potential breaks that can jeopardize
citizens, wildlife, and the environment.
“Thanks to the efforts of Sen. Robert C. Byrd, the Coal Impoundment
Location and Information system has emerged as a resource to identify coal
impoundments in West Virginia, to alert residents of emergency situations
and related evacuation plans, to improve safety, and the latest information
on legal actions and alternatives for impounding coal waste,” says McAteer.
Partners in the project are National Energy Technology Laboratory;
International Union of Operating Engineers; Mine Safety and Health
Administration; West Virginia University/ National Mine Land Reclamation
Center; Office of Surface Mining; National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration; West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection;
Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy; Pennsylvania Bureau of
Deep Mine Safety; Kentucky Department of Mines and Minerals; West Virginia
Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training; West Virginia Geological and
Economic Survey; The Pennsylvania State University; Consol Energy; Peabody
Energy; Arch Coal Inc.; Massey Energy Co.; West Virginia Highlands
Conservancy; Coal River Mountain Watch; Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition
(OVEC); Verizon; and Raleigh County 9-1-1.
Support for the project comes from the Altria Foundation, Ford
Foundation,Senator Robert C. Byrd, and the Rockefeller Foundation.
At Wheeling Jesuit University:
Contact: J. Davitt McAteer, VP for Sponsored Programs, at 304-671-2512; or
Steven Infanti of University Relations at 304-243-2308 or sinfanti@wju.edu.
