The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, chaired by U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA), will conduct a field hearing in Charleston, WV on Monday to examine the circumstances behind, and the response to, the accidental release of chemicals into the Elk River by Freedom Industries, Inc., which contaminated the water supply for Charleston and surrounding counties. The Committee has jurisdiction over the federal Clean Water Act and water quality issues.
The hearing, entitled “The Charleston, West Virginia Chemical Spill," is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, 2014 in Ceremonial Courtroom 4, 2nd Floor, Kanawha County Courthouse, 407 Virginia Street East, Charleston, WV 25301.
In addition to Chairman Shuster, the Committee’s Ranking Member Nick J. Rahall, II (D-WV) and senior Committee Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) will participate in Monday’s hearing.
Witnesses:
Mr. Gary Southern, President, Freedom Industries (invited)
Mr. Jeff McIntyre, President, West Virginia American Water
Mr. Jimmy Gianato, Director, West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Mr. Gordon Merry, Director, Cabell County Office of Emergency Services
Dr. Rafael Moure-Eraso, Chairman, U.S Chemical Safety Board
Mr. Dale Petry, Director, Kanawha County Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Mr. Mike Dorsey, Director, Homeland Security and Emergency Response, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
Dr. Letitia E. Tierney, Commissioner, Bureau for Public Health and State Health Officer, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
More information about the hearing, including testimony and additional background information, will be posted here as it becomes available.
Source: House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
