Family of Man Killed in Chemical Explosion Awarded $15M
The 2020 explosion demolished the entire building.
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The 2020 explosion demolished the entire building.
A chemical company in eastern Kanawha County wants to discharge toxic chemicals into the Kanawha River, and an environmental group is pushing back.
The West Virginia Legislature is showing little sign through a quarter of the 2023 state regular legislative session of strengthening air quality and other environmental protections in a state of high concentrations of air pollution from chemical, gas and oil infrastructure. Instead, a bill introduced by House Energy and Manufacturing Committee Chair Bill Anderson, R-Wood, would keep the state Department of Environmental Protection from using community air monitoring data for regulatory purposes.
A chemical explosion at Optima Chemical LLC in Belle led to the discussion of whether a chemical presents a risk before it is used in synthesis work.
West Virginians have long had reasons to fear what’s in the air.