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TOXIC SPILL REPORT TAPE RELEASED: Freedom Industries Downplays Crisis, Hours After Spill |
| (02/04/2014) |
| By Bob Weaver West Virginia has a long history of chemical and extractive disasters not being reported in a timely matter to protect the public health and safety. Kanawha Co. officials have released the tape of Freedom Industries reporting the spill that affected 300,000 water customers. The call was made hours after the spill began, reports saying up to 12. The call was not made until Charleston residents kept reporting an odor linked to the spill and investigators arrived at Freedom Industries and began asking questions. THE CALL "Just calling to let you know that we've had a leaking tank," said Bob Reynolds, with Freedom Industries. Reynolds sounded calm as he called in the leak around noon, one hour after DEP investigators showed up at his door. "All I can tell you is that they discovered a hole in the tank," Reynolds said. When asked if the material was hazardous or toxic, Reynold replied, "No." In the call, there seemed to be little urgency or worry about the leak getting into the Elk River. When asked if the spill was going into a creek or a stream, Reynold replied, "Uh, don't know at this time." "It's located right on the Elk River and, right now, the dike is containing the material so we don't anticipate any going into the river," he said. The emergency containment dike had cracks in it and was in need of repair, reports said the facility had not been evaluated since 1991. Many West Virginia Water customers are still afraid to drink the water. NOISE, BUT LITTLE CHANGE Dozens of reporters and environmental activists have visited West Virginia during the toxic spill. Most have asked the burning question: Why haven't criminal charges been filed? Environmental activist Erin Brockovich says those responsible for the chemical spill that caused the West Virginia water crisis should face criminal charges. A 2000 feature film, "Erin Brockovich," was nominated for five Academy Awards, about her story doing battle in 1993, building a case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) of California, for the alleged contamination of drinking water with hexavalent chromium.
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