WASHINGTON – Sen. Jay Rockefeller Friday asked the head of West Virginia American Water, Jeff McIntyre, for more information about the testing used to issue a lift on the water ban his company issued in the aftermath of last week’s chemical spill at Freedom Industries.
Rockefeller sent the letter after learning of constituent concerns that levels of crude 4-methylcyclohexane methanol (MCHM) have spiked in certain areas that had been released from the water use ban.
In his letter to the president of West Virginia American Water, Rockefeller asks for answers to the following questions:
- Are your tests showing that levels of crude MCHM are rising in certain areas?
- If so, what steps are you taking to protect the public from unsafe water?
- What steps are you taking to further eliminate MCHM from the water supply?
“Please be aware that I intend to do everything in my power as the senior United States Senator for West Virginia to ease the burden on my constituents and safeguard the health of their families. Part of that effort includes finding out exactly what steps your company may or may not be taking to keep them safe,” Rockefeller wrote.
Rockefeller requested a response to his questions by Tuesday, January 21. Click here for a copy of the Senator’s letter.