Protecting the Water is Critical
Jefferson County’s aquifer is highly vulnerable due to the karst hydrogeology so prevalent in the area. Because of this landscape, development of any kind must be carefully considered and planned thoughtfully. In relation to Rockwool’s facility in Ranson, a site that has 22 known sinkholes on it, it is particularly important that the best available control technologies are put into place to avoid the possibility of groundwater or surface water contamination.
Well Testing Program
Jefferson County Foundation has designed and is administering the well testing program as part of a larger program to screen for pollution of water resources from Rockwool. The Foundation has worked hard to design a robust program that will detect early signs of pollution and stand up to legal scrutiny if needed.
Rockwool Operational Stormwater Permit Reissuance, November 2021
Jefferson County Foundation filed an appeal on Wednesday, December 22, 2020 to the West Virginia Environmental Quality Board regarding the reissuance of Rockwool’s Multi-Sector Stormwater Permit Registration.
Follow our progress.
Rockwool Construction Stormwater Permit
Jefferson County Foundation filed an appeal of Rockwool’s Construction Stormwater permit registration with the West Virginia Environmental Quality Board on March 26, 2020. The Foundation is standing up for the protection of the ground and surface water resources in Jefferson County and the surrounding region.
Rockwool Operational Stormwater Permit
Jefferson County Foundation filed an appeal on Friday, December 4, 2020 to the West Virginia Environmental Quality Board regarding Rockwool’s Multi-Sector Stormwater Permit Registration. The testimony for this case has concluded and all parties are to submit findings of fact and conclusions of law.
Key Actions
- Jefferson County Foundation files a Motion for Stay in Rockwool’s Operational Stormwater Permit Case
Jefferson County Foundation filed a Motion for Stay today with the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) - Government emails show political pressure on agency staff to issue Rockwool water permit despite high volume of comments and concerns
Jefferson County Foundation asks WV EQB to reopen Rockwool Construction Stormwater Permit appeal after bombshell - Jefferson County Foundation Statement: Danish Agency Finds Rockwool Failed to Comply with International Business Conduct Rules
Jefferson County Foundation thanks West Virginians for Sustainable Development (WVSD) for its successful pursuit of - Rockwool Refused to put in Leak Detection System to the Pond Liners
Legal documents recently obtained by Jefferson County Foundation as part of our lawsuit on Rockwool’s - Blue Petition is a Huge Success
Great news! Today, the Charles Town City Council and the Charles Town Building Commission declared moot the bond ordinance for the “super sewer” to Rockwool! - Foundation Update – March 14Recent developments prove that we must act with incredible urgency. Now is the time to support these critical actions.
- DEP Delays Hearing for the Third Time, Says It’s Unprepared
The Jefferson County Foundation v. WVDEP and Rockwool case that challenges Rockwool’s Construction Stormwater permit, due to resume this Thursday, has been postponed again. This is the same hearing that started on December 11 and 12 that was continued into January at the request of the DEP so they could complete the certified record. - Arbitrary and Capricious
Jefferson County Foundation’s legal team is on fire these last few weeks. We have two big - Sinkhole #22 Noted at Rockwool Site
How many sinkholes does it take to get to the center of our drinking water - Appeal Filed on Order 9080 – Construction Stormwater Permit for Super Sewer to Rockwool
The Environmental Quality Board (EQB) inappropriately decided that Jefferson County Foundation’s appeal of order 9080—which - Construction Stormwater Permit Hearing Moved to December
The dates for the hearing have been moved from November 12 and 13 to December - EQB Denies All 5 of Rockwool’s Motions
On October 29, the Environmental Quality Board heard arguments on the pre-trial motions in the - Mountaineer Gas Required to Obtain Valid Stormwater Construction Permit
Jefferson County Foundation has submitted multiple complaints to the West Virginia DEP asking that Mountaineer - DEP Pushes Rockwool to Answer Many Errors in NPDES PermitThe Good News: the DEP is now taking the Foundation seriously; however, Rockwool is not
- Mountaineer Gas Explosion Highlights the Lack of Adequate Oversight
There was a natural gas explosion on Salvation Road in Berkeley County on Monday, September 21 sending pressurized gas up to 100 feet in the air—only feet from a residence—which caused all homes and businesses in a 330-foot radius from the blast to be evacuated. The company putting in the gas line to Rockwool, Mountaineer Gas Company, is constructing without any permits on record. - Ranson and the DEP Violate the Clean Water Act at Road to Rockwool
Ranson is administering the Northport Avenue road extension construction project — the road to Rockwool — for the West Virginia Department of Highways without a valid construction stormwater permit. The project has been inspected by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) three times and each time, Ranson has had violations. Jefferson County Foundation filed a Notice of Intent to file suit on Friday, August 7. - Hydrogeology Expert Confirms: Groundwater at Risk for Contamination in Route 9 Sewer Project
Jefferson County Foundation has received and submitted to the West Virginia Environmental Quality Board, a significant hydrogeology report, confirming that the waters of Jefferson County — and the Chesapeake Bay Region — are at risk from the construction of the Route 9 Sewer Project. - Columbia Gas Needs a New Certificate – FERC Needs to Hear From You
There’s an opportunity to help prevent a gas pipeline to Rockwool from being complete and the clock is ticking. Please consider sending in a comment asking the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to deny this permit. We’ve outlined talking points for you to submit comments either via the FERC eFiling site or via mail. Comments are due July 30. - Is the EPA turning a blind eye to WVDEP?
A coalition of advocates has asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to investigate the actions of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP), a state agency charged with protecting the environment but which appears to have allowed hundreds of polluters to operate in violation of the Clean Water Act, putting the surface and ground waters of the Chesapeake Bay and Ohio River Valley watersheds at risk. Documents recently obtained by Jefferson County Foundation show that the DEP advised the companies how it was going to assist them in avoiding operating without a permit, but never told the public. - Foundation Sends Inquiry to the EPA: What did they know?
There are over 690 entities — including the City of Charles Town —operating in West Virginia without a valid General Stormwater Construction Permit, because the 2012 permit expired and the 2019 permit has not been issued (or, it was issued, appealed, revised, rejected by EPA, and withdrawn by the DEP). Jefferson County Foundation sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requesting clarity about this. - Appeal filed with the WVEQB regarding Rockwool’s Construction Stormwater Permit registration
Jefferson County Foundation filed an appeal of Rockwool’s Construction Stormwater permit registration with the West Virginia Environmental Quality Board. - Jefferson County Foundation’s Legal Counsel Filed a Response with the EQB
Jefferson County Foundation is challenging attempts to weaken water protection for our water resources. - Jefferson County Foundation’s Community Forum on Rockwool Packs the House
On January 3, 2020, Jefferson County Foundation hosted a Community Forum on Rockwool at Storer Ballroom, Shepherd University. The at-capacity crowd heard local scientists present their concerns regarding the Rockwool facility’s air and water permits and apparent design deficiencies. - Jefferson County Foundation Hosts a Community Forum on Rockwool: What You Need to Know.
Jefferson County Foundation welcomes the community to hear from local experts and learn what you need to know about Rockwool as we start 2020. - Rockwool’s CEO claims there are no obstacles to WV plant. We disagree.
Jens Birgersson, CEO of Rockwool, stated in an investor’s call this morning that their proposed West Virginia plant “… is moving ahead now. No obstacles to that.” In short, he’s misleading the analysts. - Detailed Public Comments submitted to WVDEP regarding stormwater permits for Rockwool
Jefferson County Foundation submitted a public comment to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) on November 4 regarding two stormwater permits for the proposed Rockwool plant. - Jefferson County sold out to Rockwool again by the State
In a stunning development, without local public notice or knowledge, the West Virginia Economic Development Authority (WVEDA) approved issuance of up to $150 million in bonds to support Rockwool’s unwelcome and unwanted industrialization of Jefferson County. This information was discovered in responses to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) last week.
Key Documents
Jefferson County Foundation Files Appeal to the EQB on December 4, 2020: Rockwool Multi-Sector Stormwater Permit Registration
Jefferson County Foundation Files Appeal in Kanawha County Circuit Court on November 25, 2020
Jefferson County Foundation Letter to West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection regarding Rockwool Topo Map October 27, 2020
Appellants’ Response in Opposition to Intervenor Rockwool’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgement
Appellants’ Response in Opposition to Intervenor Rockwool’s Motion for Partial Summary JudgementDownload
Expert Report on Karst Hydrogeology and the Potential for Associated Environmental Risks Resulting from Rockwool
Expert Report on Hydrogeology and the Potential for Associated Environmental Risks Resulting from the Route 9 Sewer Project
Jefferson County Foundation’s Appeal of City of Charles Town’s Route 9 Construction Stormwater Permit Order
Jefferson County Foundation’s Appeal of Rockwool’s Construction Stormwater Permit
Charles Town/CTUB Route 9 Stormwater DEP Order
Northport Project WVDEP Notice of Violation
Millville Quarry Investigation
Questions Submitted Regarding Rockwool Plumbing Plans
Petition to the WVDEP, January 26, 2020
Petition to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection regarding Industrial Stormwater Permit Application No. WVG611896 (PDF)Download
Download the Exhibits that accompany the petition to the DEP here. (PDF, 64MB)