Don't let Freedom Industries off the hook for poisoning West Virginia's water. 14JAN14

freedom industries should be held responsible for the environmental disaster they created in West Virginia through their negligence. This petition to U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin demands he take all the necessary steps to make sure freedom industries is held fully and totally responsible for this environmental, health and financial disaster. Click the link to sign..... 
The petition to U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin reads:
"Hold Freedom Industries fully accountable for spilling an estimated 7,500 gallons of a dangerous coal-washing chemical called 4-methylcyclohexane methanol into the Elk River and putting the water supply of 300,000 West Virginians at risk."

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Last week, a chemical leak at a facility maintained by Freedom Industries dumped an estimated 7,500 gallons of a dangerous coal-washing chemical called 4-methylcyclohexane methanol into the Elk River less than two miles from a water-intake facility that provides drinking water to 300,000 West Virginians.¹
In violation of West Virginia law, Freedom Industries failed to report the spill to authorities in a timely manner. Even Governor Earl Ray Tomblin -- who is known for being a coal industry apologist -- criticized the company for not being forthcoming about the danger posed to West Virginia residents by the spill.²
U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin has launched a federal investigation to determine whether criminal charges are warranted,³ but in coal-friendly West Virginia, he’ll likely come under pressure to let Freedom Industries off the hook with a slap on the wrist.
Tell U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin: Hold Freedom Industries fully accountable for poisoning West Virginia’s water supply.
Initial reports indicate that at least 179 people have been treated at hospitals due to exposure to the chemical, and more than a thousand others have called the West Virginia Poison Center regarding concerns about being exposed. Schools in at least five counties were closed for days and hospitals had to rely on bottled water donations to continue treating patients.
Local businesses in nine counties were also closed for days due to water-use restrictions, exacting an unnecessary economic toll on the region.
4-methylcyclohexane methanol is a frothing agent that is commonly used to wash dirty coal. It is known to be fatal to rats and considered dangerous to humans, but because no comprehensive study has ever been conducted on the safety of the chemical, we don’t know just how dangerous it is.
The coal industry is exceptionally powerful in West Virginia, and U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin – who is conducting the federal investigation – will likely face behind-the-scenes pressure to take it easy on Freedom Industries.
In order to deter Freedom Industries and other companies from taking risks with the quality of our water supply in the future, Goodwin needs to stand strong and hold Freedom Industries fully accountable for spilling thousands of gallons of a dangerous chemical into the Elk River.
Tell U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin: Hold Freedom Industries fully accountable for poisoning West Virginia’s water supply. Click the link below to sign the petition:
http://act.credoaction.com/go/3120?t=4&akid=9771.179403.hCwnOO
Josh Nelson, Campaign Manager
CREDO Action from Working Assets

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Learn more about this campaign

1. "Chemical Leak Into West Virginia River Far Larger Than Previously Estimated", Think Progress, January 12, 2014
2. "Light at end of the tunnel, but no timeline for water", The Charleston Gazette, January 12, 2014
3. "U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin comments on water crisis investigation", WVNS TV, January 13, 2014