Current:Home > InvestKentucky coal firm held in contempt again over West Virginia mine pollution-InfoLens
Kentucky coal firm held in contempt again over West Virginia mine pollution
View Date:2024-12-23 14:16:19
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday issued a third contempt order against a Kentucky coal company for failing to submit adequate plans to clean up two polluted West Virginia mine sites.
U.S. District Judge Robert Chambers ordered Lexington Coal Company LLC to follow a previous directive to address selenium discharges and other pollution at the sites in Mingo County. The judge also fined the company $50,000 and ordered it to set up a $100,000 fund for use toward the costs of complying with federal environmental laws.
Chambers previously found the company in contempt in 2022 and 2023.
In his ruling, Chambers said the company has paid $169,500 in sanctions.
“Unfortunately, this significant sum of money has proven insufficient to coerce Lexington Coal into compliance,” Chambers wrote.
Environmental groups alleged in a 2019 lawsuit that the company was discharging pollutants illegally at its Low Gap Surface Mine No. 2 and No. 10 Mine.
James Kotcon, chairman of the Sierra Club’s West Virginia chapter, said the discharges have ruined ecosystems.
“The law requires companies to abide by a simple principle: You must clean up the mess you make,” Kotcon said in a statement. “Lexington Coal Company has made it clear that it has no respect for our courts and our laws.”
veryGood! (93)
Related
- Nearly 80,000 pounds of Costco butter recalled for missing 'Contains Milk statement': FDA
- Pesticides pose a significant risk in 20% of fruits and vegetables, Consumer Reports finds
- Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler will miss play-in game vs. Chicago Bulls with sprained knee
- Missouri lawmakers expand private school scholarships backed by tax credits
- Man accused of killing American tourist in Budapest, putting her body in suitcase: Police
- Ashanti and Nelly Are Engaged: How Their Rekindled Romance Became More Than Just a Dream
- Ashanti and Nelly Are Engaged: How Their Rekindled Romance Became More Than Just a Dream
- They got pregnant with 'Ozempic babies' and quit the drug cold turkey. Then came the side effects.
- UConn, Kansas State among five women's college basketball games to watch this weekend
- It's not just a patch: NBA selling out its LGBTQ referees with puzzling sponsorship deal
Ranking
- The state that cleared the way for sports gambling now may ban ‘prop’ bets on college athletes
- Pepsi Lime or Pepsi Peach? 2 limited-edition sodas to make debut in time for summer
- Civilian interrogator defends work at Abu Ghraib, tells jury he was promoted
- 50* biggest NFL draft busts of last 50 years: Trey Lance, other 2021 QBs already infamous
- Why Josh O'Connor Calls Sex Scenes Least Sexy Thing After Challengers With Zendaya and Mike Faist
- Jerrod Carmichael says he wants Dave Chappelle to focus his 'genius' on more than trans jokes
- Netflix now has nearly 270 million subscribers after another strong showing to begin 2024
- Cheryl Burke recalls 'Dancing With the Stars' fans making her feel 'too fat for TV'
Recommendation
-
Stock market today: Asian shares mostly decline, shrugging off Wall Street’s overnight rally
-
When does summer start? Mark your calendars for the longest day of the year in 2024
-
911 outages reported in 4 states as emergency call services go down temporarily
-
District attorney says Memphis police officer may have been killed by friendly fire
-
Pentagon secrets leaker Jack Teixeira set to be sentenced, could get up to 17 years in prison
-
High mercury levels in some Lake Maurepas fish bring meal restrictions, state officials say
-
Alleged homicide suspect fatally shot by police in San Francisco Bay Area
-
Reed Sheppard entering NBA draft after one season with Kentucky men's basketball