A prominent West Virginia Coal Company, Lexington Coal Company, has once again found itself under the court’s scrutiny. After failing to meet previously mandated water pollutant compliance standards, the court has issued another contempt order against the coal company.
The company’s liability for its water pollutant contraventions was established in March 2021. This lack of compliance has led to the accumulation of $69,500 in contempt fines, as detailed in the court’s opinion. The contempt motion was put forth by three environmental groups, namely, the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, Appalachian Voices, and the Sierra Club. They asserted that the compliance deadline had expired, with the company registering “little to no progress” in addressing water pollutants like selenium and ionic components.
U.S District Judge Robert C. Chambers noted his reservations about Lexington Coal’s responsibility to rectify the situation. His comment highlights the firm’s seeming lack of urgency in dealing with the noted deficiencies and cooperating proactively with the Special Master. “If Lexington Coal was attempting to comply with its obligations in good faith, the court expects it would be actively engaging with the Special Master’s concerns and seeking to address any noted deficiencies,” he said. “Instead, it appears to be looking for shortcuts and simply hoping disaster does not result.”
Read more on this on-going legal case at Law.com.