Rockwool's New Permit Violations Endanger Jefferson County

SHENANDOAH JUNCTION, WV.   The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has cited Rockwool for multiple project violations which, according to regulators, “may have endangered health or the environment.”

Jefferson County Vision board member Megan Hartlove commented, “It is alarming that Rockwool doesn’t even have a building permit and is already violating rules designed to protect our health and the environment.

“Remember, these stormwater and sinkhole violations are occuring within a few thousand feet of North Jefferson Elementary which relies on a groundwater well for its drinking water. Our kids deserve better than a reckless company breaking environmental rules in a rush to get this unwanted project built.

“These violations, and Rockwool’s delays in disclosing them, renew our concerns about Rockwool’s commitment to transparency and whether the company actually understands the risky karst geology of Jefferson County.

“Since August, the Jefferson County Board of Education has continually asked Rockwool to pause site development. Clearly, Rockwool isn’t ready or capable to do this work, and should immediately do what the School Board is asking--  stop work until they can assure our community this project is safe.

“Finally, thank you to the professionals at the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection for holding Rockwool accountable.”

Jefferson County Vision has been concerned about Rockwool’s site work and previously sent two letters to the DEP, the most recent on August 29, 2018.