Wednesday is the 45th anniversary of a mine explosion in Farmington, W.Va., that claimed the lives of 78 men. Time Trail, West Virginia, from the state…
Wednesday is the 45th anniversary of a mine explosion in Farmington, W.Va., that claimed the lives of 78 men. Time Trail, West Virginia, from the state Division of Culture and History, describes what happened that day.
November 20, 1968: The Farmington mine disaster
After an explosion tore through Consolidation Coal Company’s Number 9 mine in Farmington, there was still hope that miners trapped below ground found a way to survive.
The explosion occurred early on the morning of November 20, 1968. Flames and smoke shot out through the mine’s Lewellyn and Mod’s Run portals. Twenty-one miners were rescued but many others were trapped.
The evening of the explosion, William Poundstone, a Consol vice president, said rescue efforts couldn’t be mounted right away because of the fire.
"We expect no major developments during the night simply because we must wait until the flames die down. Our best estimate is that at least 70 miners are still trapped inside the mine. We do have on hand the best and most skilled mine rescue teams that are available in the country. They are standing by. But we feel that at this time we cannot send them in to commence rescue operations because of the fire."
Seventy-eight miners were trapped in the mine after the initial explosion. After several more explosions and increasing smoke and flames, it became more evident that rescue crews would have to wait.
My own personal concern has been to try to work with the federal bureau and the state people to make the proper moves to get this fire under control and get ourselves in a position so we can send rescue men in to rescue these miners. I know that the mine workers' organization is at work in this regard," said Poundstone.
After a few days, two rescue teams entered the mine. But, after about four hours of searching, they encountered enough methane to blow the mine again so they were ordered out. Officials finally came to the difficult conclusion that the 78 trapped miners were dead and decided the mine should be sealed so the fire could be put out.
The existence of today’s Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration is due, in large part, to the Farmington mine disaster.
State lawmakers say they’re starting to broaden their focus of the state’s water resources from not just protecting it, but also managing it.
During a legislative interim meeting in Charleston, legislators considered the thoughts of scientists and industry leaders regarding waste water management in the natural gas sector.
“Fresh water is becoming more and more of an issue not just here in West Virginia and Appalachia, but throughout the country and throughout the world. It’s becoming scarcer,” said Senate Majority Leader John Unger as he began the discussion during a meeting of the Joint Legislative Oversight Commission on state Water Resources.
“I think we’ve been blessed with this water resource because we do have an abundance of it, but it’s also finite, it’s not infinite and we want to leverage it for economic development. So, we want to be able to utilize this to be able to attract companies into our state and to better manage it.”
Even though water isn’t the main attraction for industry in the state, drilling for natural gas in northern West Virginia depends on the availability of the resource.
According to recent research, each Marcellus well in West Virginia requires the injection of about 5 million gallons of water.
Water is mixed with various chemicals, pressurized, and pumped down into wells to release the gas from the Marcellus shale during the fracking process, making water a critical component.
“There will never be a well drilled in the Appalachian basin without water management,” Rick Zickefoose, vice president of operations for GreenHunter Water, told the committee.
“You’ve got to have water, you’ve got to manage the water, you’ve got to know where you’re going to get it to begin with and know what to do with it when it’s done.”
And when it is done, that’s when GreenHunter’s work begins.
The company trucks used frack water from drilling sites in West Virginia and Ohio to one of their 5 disposal wells in West Virginia, Ohio or Kentucky, or one of their holding facilities to await injection.
Zickefoose said they inject around 75,000 barrels of the waste water a week, or about 750 truck loads, but now, the company wants to diversify their waste water management methods.
Credit Ashton Marra
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Vice President of Operations for GreenHunter Water Rick Zickefoose testifies before the commission.
“We are taking the steps to go into the water recycling arena,” Zickefoose said.
Water use data collected by the state Department of Environmental Protection reveals that of the 5 million gallons of water injected into each well, only about 8 percent returns to the surface as waste water, or flowback. New recycling practices adopted in the state are diverting about 75 percent of that waste for reuse.
Zickefoose said simply providing the service of processing waste water for reuse isn’t enough for the industry to make the full transition away from fresh water, at least not yet.
Today, oil and gas companies rely on injection wells to dispose of waste water as sanctioned by the state because of something Zickefoose referred to as “cradle to grave regulations.” Basically, the regulations make companies accountable for water from the second they collect it at the fresh water source until it is disposed of at the injection well.
But Melissa Pagen, water treatment specialist for GreenHunter, said they can offer an alternative.
“They drop off their product. We have a tank cleaning on site so they can clean the inside of the tank because that’s regulation. Then they can take water that we’ve already treated,” she said. “That’s taking one extra truck off the road that would have to take water to frack with that we’re providing for free.”
Free treated water, recycled from the used water dropped of by previous trucks. On top of that, trucks that plan to load up with the treated water get a discount on the waste water they drop off.
But Pagen said there is hesitation from the industry on mixing their water with that of other companies at the recycling site and still having the liability if something should happen.
Zickefoose said whether it’s through regulations or a shift in the industry, he still believes the recycling technology his company can offer will be utilized in the near future. So confident, in fact, GreenHunter has already bought a site in Wheeling to build a holding facility and recycling center.
Dr. Ben Stout, a professor of Biology at Wheeling Jesuit University, has been outspoken against the new site because of its location only a mile and a half upstream from the city’s drinking water intake location on the Ohio River.
Credit Ashton Marra
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Dr. Ben Stout, professor of biology at Wheeling Jesuit University.
Stout maintained should an accident occur, it jeopardizes not only the water source for the citizens of Wheeling, but also for millions of other people in cities in West Virginia and other states downstream. He also raised concerns about the additional truck traffic brought into the residential area where the facility would be located.
Stout, however, is a proponent of the recycling program.
“The waste stream is the Achilles’ heal of the industry and so the limit to production is eventually going to be the limit to how fast you can clean up after yourself,” he said.
“So, I think GreenHunter is right on. I support them and I hope they can develop the kind of technologies and processes that would really work.”
Technologies and a process that would really work, he adds, in the proper locations.
Zickefoose said one barge could transport more then 40,000 barrels of water compared to the 100 barrels in a single truck, significantly reducing traffic, wear and tear on infrastructure and pollution.
Stout, who again said he was in favor of GreenHunter’s exploration of recycling technology, said barging is not a better option.
He said when moving the waste water from one transportation container to another; they have to be vented releasing harmful chemicals in to the atmosphere. Stout maintained transferring the liquids from the site to the barge to trucks to the injection wells means more venting and more chemicals being released into the atmosphere.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin announced this afternoon that a Brazilian petrochemical company, Odebrecht, has chosen a site in Wood County to explore the possible…
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin announced this afternoon that a Brazilian petrochemical company, Odebrecht, has chosen a site in Wood County to explore the possible location of an ethane cracker plant and three polyethlene plants.
The governor was disappointed when Shell announced a few years ago it was choosing Pennsylvania over West Virginia for a cracker plant. And he’s wanted one ever since.
“Literally from the first day of my administration I’ve made it a priority to take advantage of the vast resources of the Marcellus and Utica shale gas reserves to do more than just extract them and ship them out somewhere else but to create manufacturing jobs here in the Mountain State,” Tomblin said at the announcement in Parkersburg.
The complex will be called Ascent, short for Appalachian Shale Cracker Enterprise.
An official with Odebrecht says the company is moving cautiously. David Peoples said he didn’t want to raise expectations unnecessarily. But he was frank when he talked about needing a skilled and trained workforce.
“I was talking to the union representatives this morning and we have a lot of jobs,” Peoples said. “We have over 180,000 employees world wide and here in the United States one of the issues we have is drugs. And there’s a drug testing policy. For all of the young or even for the senior citizens like myself you do not get hired if you do not pass the drug testing policy.”
Ascent’s feasibility will depend on several important variables, including the contracting of long-term ethane supply, as well as financing, regulatory approvals, and appropriate governmental support.
The Smoke Hole area of Pendleton County, W.Va. that was struck by a forest fire nearly two weeks ago will reopen to the public on Sunday now that the fire is fully contained.
A news release says the public will be free to enter the Monongahela National Forest area where the fire was beginning Sunday morning, Nov. 24, 2013.
The fire burned 1,611 acres.
The release says visitors to the area should be aware that there are still ongoing monitoring and fire patrol efforts and that while the majority of firefighters have gone home, several crews, engines, and a helicopter continue to work in the area.
Update: Sunday, November 17, 2013 at 10 a.m.
The forest fire at the Smoke Hole area of Pendleton County has grown to about 1,600 acres but firefighters are also finding more success in fighting it. According to a news release the fire is 50 percent contained.
The fire started a week ago on private land adjacent to the Monongahela National Forest 11 miles southwest of Petersburg, W.Va. and three miles northeast Seneca Rocks. The cause is under investigation.
The news release says about 190 firefighters and support staff, including four crews, two modules, six engines, two bulldozers, and one helicopter are assisting with the fire.
The release says: Crews had a safe, productive day yesterday. The south and east flanks are being mopped up and patrolled. Some minimal fire activity occurred along the crest of North Fork Mountain along the northwest section of the fire.
Plans for today call for direct attack on any remaining active fire. In areas where the fire is not actively burning, crews are strengthening the completed line.
A cold front moving into the area in late afternoon may bring a chance of thunderstorms with gusty winds and additional rain.
Update: Friday, November 15, 2013 at 9 a.m.
Credit Submitted Photo / W.Va. Division of Forestry
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W.Va. Division of Forestry
The U.S Forest Service and West Virginia Division of Forestry report the fire in the Smoke Hole area of Pendleton County, W.Va. is about 30 percent contained.
The fire is burning on about 1,400 acres of national forest land and adjacent private property 11 miles southwest of Petersburg and three miles northeast of Seneca Rocks.
Here is the latest information from a news release issued this morning:
Approximately 150 firefighters and support staff, including four crews, one module, five engines, two bulldozers, and a helicopter are assisting with the Smoke Hole Fire.
Another safe and challenging day yesterday. Crews had a great day, improving containment and maintaining their safety record. The south end is being mopped up and patrolled, east side is cooling down nicely. Today, crews can expect continued low fuel moisture and warm weather.
Firefighters will be fighting directly and aggressively on all fronts, particularly on the northern edge of the fire.
The following areas are closed under an emergency order: Redman Run Trail (Trail #507) from the North Fork Mountain Trail (Trail #501) to Smoke Hole Road (Grant County Road 23). National Forest System Lands (NFS) in Pendleton County between Highway 28/55, Pendleton County Road 23 to Eagle Rock. NFS lands north of Dry Hollow Creek. At the end of Dry Hollow Creek to the northeast boundary of Seneca Rocks Area. NFS lands and Seneca Rocks Area boundary to the northwest boundary of NFS lands and Seneca Rocks on the Cheat/Potomac Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest.
Update: Thursday, November 14, 2013 at 11 a.m.
Firefighters continue battling a 1,400 acre forest fire in the Smoke Hole area of Pendleton County.
A news release says: Wednesday was a very productive day, with good progress made along the southeastern edge of the fire.
Credit Submitted Photo / W.Va. Division of Forestry
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W.Va. Division of Forestry
Helicopters are being used to fight the Smoke Hole Fire in Pendleton County, W.Va.
Solid progress was made establishing an indirect fire line around the western and northern edges of the fire. This is a long-duration fire and a containment date is not predicted at this time.
There will be more than 150 people on location at the fire today with resources from approximately 18 states.
Crews will construct and improve new lines as well as patrol and secure existing lines. A helicopter is being used for reconnaissance and water drops.
Wednesday there was minimal activity with little smoke visible. Today’s forecast is for the high 50s, significantly warmer than the past few days.
The warmer weather and unseasonably low humidity can produce a change in fire behavior. The surrounding area may see more smoke today due to winds and continuing fire suppression activities.
Anywhere from two inch to 20 foot flames are possible, depending on the fuel types and weather conditions.
Today’s objectives are to provide for firefighter and public safety, provide protection to communities within the fire area, and to protect natural and cultural resources to the extent possible.
Update: Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at 8:30 p.m.
Access to the Monongahela National Forest in the area of the Smoke Hole fire is now restricted.
Credit Submitted Photo / W.Va. Division of Forestry
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W.Va. Division of Forestry
Firefighters are fighting a forest fire in the Smoke Hole area of Pendleton County, W.Va. that started Sunday afternoon.
A press release by the U.S. Forest Service and West Virginia Division of Forestry says an emergency closure order restricting access took effect Wednesday.
“This action is being taken to provide for public and firefighter safety while we work to protect National Forest property and resources and private structures.” Troy Waskey, District Ranger of the Cheat-Potomac Ranger District, said.
The closure order will remain in effect for the next 120 days unless otherwise rescinded by the Forest Supervisor.
Everyone is prohibited from entering national forest land described below unless specifically authorized.
Redman Run Trail (Trail #507) from the North Fork Mountain Trail (Trail #501) to Smoke Hole Road (Grant County Road 23).
National Forest System Lands (NFS) in Pendleton County between Highway 28/55, Pendleton County Road 23 to Eagle Rock.
NFS lands north to Dry Hollow Creek.
At the end of Dry Hollow Creek to the northeast boundary of Seneca Rocks Area.
NFS lands and Seneca Rocks Area boundary to the northwest boundary of NFS lands and Seneca Rocks on the Cheat/Potomac Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest.
Violations area punishable by a fine of up to $500 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization. Violators also face a prison sentence of not more than six months. Update: Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at 11 a.m.
The wildfire burning in the Smoke Hole area of the Monongahela National Forest in Pendleton County, W.Va. has spread and now at least 1,400 acres is burning on National Forest and nearby private land.
A news release from the West Virginia Division of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service says the fire is about 20 percent contained.
The release says firefighters made good progress Tuesday suppressing it on the southern end.
“This is an unusual fire,” Operations Chief Pete Irvine said this morning. “There was fire burning actively against the wind in a snowstorm.”
The fire started Sunday about 12:30 p.m. Robert Beanblossom, public information officer for the incident, said the initial attack occurred later that afternoon and Monday crews were able to work on the south perimeter of the fire and “made real substantial progress” on the south end.
Beanblossoom said no structures were threatened as of Tuesday afternoon but there are people monitoring to make sure it doesn’t spread in a direction that threatens structures.
The fire is burning in a predominately oak and hickory forest. The North Fork Mountain Trail was closed Tuesday from its intersection with the Redmond Run Trail south to its terminus at U.S. Rte. 33.
Forest Rd. 79 is also closed to the public. North Fork Mountain Trail is closed at the intersection with the Landis Trail (#502) and south until US Route 33. An area wide emergency closure order will be in place on Wednesday.
The area of Pendleton County affected by the fire didn’t receive any snowfall Tuesday morning and Beanblossom said there were winds, with gusts up to 25 mph, which hampered firefighting efforts. But he said there was also good cloud cover and high relative humidity and that helps firefighters.
About 80 personnel were fighting the fire Tuesday with units from the Franklin, Seneca Rocks, Upper Tract and Petersburg fire departments as well as units from the West Virginia Division of Forestry.
Peter Fischer, Monongahela National Forest fire management officer, said in a news release this is the largest wildfire in the Forest since the 1940’s or 1950’s. The cause is under investigation.
More information is available at the Cheat-Potomac Ranger Station, 304-257-4488 extension 28.
The term “TransTech” has been floating around for about five years, according to Carl Irwin, creator of the TransTech Energy Program at the National Research Center for Coal and Energy.
It refers to technologies that try to transition the nation’s energy portfolio into something that’s more economically sustainable, while at the same time, being competitive and using lower amounts of carbon. Carl Irwin says the public plays an important part in recognizing transitional technologies.
“The average consumer sees the price of fuel, sees what the gas bill is at the home. They are going to be out looking for, what are the new technologies, are there ways that biomass can reduce the pollution of a coal-fired power plant. I’m hoping these become more prevalent in the general public for sure,” Irwin said.
Ideas presented by the entrepreneurs include one company who wants to distribute nano-engineered “Frac balls” that are designed to keep natural gas wells from getting clogged. Another wants to develop better technologies for piping at natural gas pumping stations. Irwin says the sky is the limit when trying to develop these new ideas.
“This is the future of the state, it’s new jobs, continuing to use our research, to use our innovative people, and create new businesses and new jobs. I think that’s very important for all of us,” said Irwin.
One person who came looking for inspiration is Abigail Morrisey. She’s a WVU student that’s involved with a special academic program at the university known as “EQuad.” This program brings together elements of energy, the environment, entrepreneurship, and economics. Morrisey says she wants to work in the farm and agricultural industry, and this event got her thinking about new ideas.
“Agriculture has always been a big part of my life, so I’ve always wanted to do something with that,” she said.
“Having the EQuad Major, and that opportunity, here at the university, has really broadened everything I can do.”
While natural gas and shale technologies were hot topics at the conference, biomass technologies were also discussed. Researchers at the National Research Center for Coal and Energy have been looking at how biomass can help reduce carbon emissions in burning coal, amongst other methods.
Executive Director Steve Nadel says many states are doing more and more each year, and they must constantly improve to retain their rankings.
Joining West Virginia among the most improved are Mississippi, Maine, Kansas and Ohio.
The report says that after years of virtually no activity, West Virginia utilities have begun to roll out some small-scale efficiency programs for its customers.
With residential consumers facing dramatic price increases, the report says energy efficiency is starting to gain traction as a way to lower energy bills.
Lawmakers showed interest in 2011, but proposed legislation failed.
