Now there is a state of emergency declared for Fayette and Kanawha County by the Governor. They are evacuating Boomer Bottom and Adena Village.
Six cars are involved and there are multiple explosions. Weather is terrible- in the teens and lots of snow.
Anne Belmont of Boomer Bottom took these pictures.
http://www.wtrf.com/...
Photos from the Stand Up West Virginia Rally Today
West Virginia has been in the hands of Republicans for this session of the Legislature. For those who thought our coal loving Blue Dog Democrats were no different than Republicans, the legislative agenda of the Republicans has been dramatic proof that there is a critical difference- Republicans want to roll back laws that protect workers and the health of citizens. They are rolling back safety regulations for miners, laws that permit workers and their families to sue when employers violate the law and kill workers, the rights of nursing home residents to sue for pain and suffering, the rights of women to have a late term abortion if their health is threatened and of course, any EPA regulations that apply to clean air or water in the state. Laws guaranteeing prevailing wages in the state are paid to out of state contractors were overturned. These laws meant cheap non-union workers couldn't be brought in to undercut WV union workers on big construction projects. Last year 300,000 citizens were without water when a chemical storage tank overflowed. Laws were passed to inspect tanks, and
now those laws are being gutted. Even the most strident Obama hater is starting to wonder what is up- this isn't what they thought they were voting for when they elected these guys (and one 18 year old daughter of a state senator who is now a delegate). Today the state is almost closed down from heavy snow, but lots of folks still showed up at a Stand Up West Virginia rally at the Capitol. I live 1 hr away and couldn't get there, but what a great turnout! Thanks Facebook. More Folks were gathered in the Capitol chambers as well.
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Follow me below the orange slime mold to hear more news from today in WV as a train derailment of crude oil is spilled into the Montgomery water supply and is burning away as I write.
A CSX train carrying crude oil has derailed along the Kanawha River in Fayette County and at least one car has gone into the river, confirmed Lawrence Messina, a spokesman for the West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety.
The derailment occurred at 1:20 p.m. Monday in Adena Village near Mount Carbon.
Kelly Gillenwater, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection spokewoman, said DEP was notified of a suspected spill at 1:45 p.m., but a representative had not reached the accident as of 2:20 p.m.
From WV Public Radio. WV American Water is asking those in Montgomery WV and its water district to conserve water, since the crude oil is in the water supply now.
Oil Train Derailment in WV 2 16 2015
The state is really starting to turn on these folks- now they are voting on legislation forcing folks to force people to open their farms to fracking- who knows what will be next.
Another Rally to end Mountaintop Removal is planned for March 16.
A talk is planned for next week on health effects of Mountaintop Removal.
There is something happening here as folks begin to realize they have been scared into voting for a bunch of Koch Brothers ALEC operatives who are anti labor and anti environment and anti citizen health.
3:01 PM PT: Now with more news from the oil train fire https://www.facebook.com/...
3:02 PM PT: Now Two towns are being evacuated, including the ironically named Boomer Bottom.
http://rt.com/...
3:11 PM PT: Governor Tomlin declares state of emergency https://www.facebook.com/...
3:23 PM PT: More local videos showing the Bakken crude running into the Kanawha. https://www.facebook.com/...