In 2023, dirty mine water gushed out of the ground behind James Christian’s home, flooding his yard in Wyoming County, West Virginia.
Sinkholes formed, a strong sulfur-like odor lingered in the air and oily sheens began coating the creek. Resident
s have blamed the mine for contaminating their creek and making some of their neighbors sick.
Since then, a lawsuit by state regulators sparked a court battle between three coal companies over the incident. Now, the state is responsible for cleaning up the mine
and the damage it caused through a program that has historically been u
nderfunded. Meanwhile, state regulators have also approved a new mine expansion over the objections of local residents.
Indian Creek continues to run black and green, and sometimes the water has white streaks or slimy film. A number of water wells have gone bad. And the nau
seating smell of rotten eggs has spread and is now palpable across the community.
“To get to my house, just follow the smell,” Christian said.
West Virginians could pay as clean up falls to the state
In June, the agency revoked the mining permit associated with th
e former underground
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Pinnacle mine, and the permit is now under the responsibility of the Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of
Special Reclamation, according to agency spokesperson Terry Fletcher.
The division is “currently formalizing a plan to complete reclamatio
n of these sites that will include sealing the open mine shafts and managem
ent of the mine pool,” Fletc
ponsible for cleaning up the land and water impacted by mining activities left behind by bankrupt coal companies.
Under federal law, coal companies are required to post bonds in order to receive mining permits as a sort of insurance
. If a company goes bankrupt, state regulators can use its bond money to clean up the mining sites,
in addition to special funds dedicated to abandoned mine cleanups. However, neither funding source has kept up with the cost to fully cover reclamations.
By forfeiting the company’s bond, the DEP collected nearly $1.5 million, which will be used to address the land and water issues caused by the Pinnacle Mining Complex. The state agency also secured an additional $1.9 million from the bankrupt coal company to put toward the clean up of the mine.