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Congressional Committee Field Hearing: The Charleston, West Virginia Chemical Spill

Washington, DC, February 6, 2014 | Justin Harclerode (202) 225-9446
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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, February 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. 

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