In the wake
of a coal-industry chemical spill that contaminated the water supply of
over 300,000 West Virginians, a Koch Industries political operation
stepped in. The spill into Elk River of
4-methylcyclohexanemethanol
(MCHM), a coal washing agent manufactured by Eastman
Chemical,
came from the facilities of Freedom
Industries. Freedom
Industries, a closely held private
company, distributes
coal-mining chemicals including those made by Koch Industries subsidiary
Georgia-Pacific
Chemicals.
Americans for Prosperity, the group that serves as the organizing wing for the Koch brothers’ extensive political efforts, alerted its national list soon after the coal-industry disaster crippled West Virginia. In an email with the electronic signature of AFP President Tim Phillips, describes the “disaster” caused by the Koch Industries chemical distributor as one that had “no warnings”:
A few days ago, there was a terrible incident in West Virginia, which has left more than 300,000 of our fellow citizens without safe, useable water. The water in the nine affected counties isn’t even safe after boiling! Currently there isn’t a timeline for when the water will be safe again. . . .
There were no warnings for this disaster. There was no time to prepare once the emergency struck.
The efforts of AFP staff to distribute “clean water and supplies into West Virginia to help with relief efforts” has been promoted on conservative media.
“It is so exciting to serve our fellow West Virginians at this crucial time of need,” explained Wendy McCuskey, the newly minted West Virginia state director of Americans for Prosperity Foundation, in a press release. “We are so happy to be able to meet their need for clean water and ease this very difficult time for West Virginia families.”
The message from AFP President Phillips raise a central question: Why where there “no warnings for this disaster” and “no time to prepare”?
“Few chemicals are actually regulated by safe-drinking-water or other water-quality rules,” the Charleston Gazette’s Ken Ward Jr. wrote, “and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has tested only about 200 of the 84,000 chemicals in the agency’s inventory.” In addition, the Freedom Industries facility has benefited from West Virginia’s notoriously lax oversight of the coal industry.
Koch Industries and its subsidiaries have a long record of opposing U.S. Environmental Protection Agency efforts to tighten water quality standards for stream-dumping and to update the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Chemical Substance Inventory.
At Slate, reporter Dave Weigel sardonically noted the Koch group’s charitable role, writing “No one who gives away free water can be evil.”
From: Tim Phillips – Americans for Prosperity
Date: Sat, Jan 11, 2014 at 4:57 PM
Subject: West Virginians need your helpI need your help.
A few days ago, there was a terrible incident in West Virginia, which has left more than 300,000 of our fellow citizens without safe, useable water. The water in the nine affected counties isn’t even safe after boiling! Currently there isn’t a timeline for when the water will be safe again.
There are thousands of suffering families, young mothers, and elderly folks who need your help. Fortunately, Americans have a great history of coming together during times of emergency to help those in need. This is one of those times. AFP Foundation, our sister organization, has already sent additional staff loaded with clean water and supplies into West Virginia to help with relief efforts, and hope you’ll help us bring aid to those in need.
Here are some ways you can help:
- Donate to our friends at the American Red Cross.
- Send supplies, such as water, baby wipes, and hand sanitizer to:
113 Lakeview Drive, Charleston, WV 25313Many of our state chapters have begun putting together relief kits to send to West Virginia. Please contact your state director, or email us at [email protected] and we’ll get you in touch with the best person. There were no warnings for this disaster. There was no time to prepare once the emergency struck. Experts suggest that the best way to prepare is with a 72-hour kit that includes water, food, and toiletries. As much as we hope it doesn’t, an unexpected emergency could happen anywhere, so please take the time today to set aside enough supplies for you and your family for at least 72 hours. For more information on how you can prepare you and your family for emergencies, go here.
Thank you for all you do to help your fellow Americans. I know the citizens of West Virginia will appreciate your assistance.
Sincerely,
AFP President Tim Phillips
P.S. Send an email to [email protected], and we’ll let you know what supplies are needed in West Virginia.
