CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice has submitted a formal letter to the Environmental Protection Agency in support of a Fayette County town.
Known by locals as “Toxic Town”, Minden residents have been concerned for several years that the former Shaffer Equipment site near the town has been the cause of PCBs contaminating the area.
PCBs are listed as a known carcinogen. The company produced mining machines, which required a large amount of PCB oil. The next step for the EPA is to get Minden added to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL).
“I share the desire with the people of Minden for this NPL proposal process to be wrapped up as quickly as possible and that’s why I acted immediately upon their request to send my letter of support to the EPA,” Gov. Justice said. “I have said from the very beginning that I am going to do everything I can to make sure this site is listed and I am following through on that promise.”
The letter, sent Friday, is addressed to EPA Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio.
“The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) has assisted in the evaluation of this site,” Justice wrote. “Due to the risk to the public health and to the environment, I and the WVDEP support EPA’s proposal to list the site on the NPL.”
“West Virginia is committed to the cooperation of state and federal agencies, and WVDEP will continue to assist EPA’s proposal to list the site on the NPL.”
More information on Minden can be found here.