Kentucky regulators have cited a company owned by coal operator Jim Justice for conditions that they say contributed to a mudslide and flooding that damaged six homes in Pike County.
Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet spokesman John Mura told The Courier-Journal regulators learned on Friday about the damages and sent investigators to the Bent Mountain surface mining operation.
The operation is part of Kentucky Fuel Corp., which is owned by Jim Justice, a billionaire coal producer running for governor as a Democrat in West Virginia.
Mura said violations on the citation issued Monday involve sediment control, off-permit disturbance, failure to notify, failure to pass water quality and a diversion ditch failure.
In a news release, Kentucky Fuel said it’s offering residents temporary housing, and providing large equipment and workers from nearby operations to help property owners with cleanup.