W.Va. chemical spill tanks coming down
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – A tank cluster that leaked chemicals into 300,000 West Virginians’ drinking water shows few signs that it’s on the brink of destruction.
Freedom Industries hit a state deadline Saturday to start scrapping its chemical storage headquarters. So far, crews have carved a small patch out of one tank to remove chemical remnants.
Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Randy Huffman said the order is both protective and symbolic.
Federal Chemical Safety Board officials said it’s unique to force a facility like Freedom to be torn down, since there was no major explosion or similar destruction at the plant.
Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Tom Aluise said there’s no firm timeline for knocking down the tanks. But the black licorice chemical smell will likely resurface.