Posted by Brad Johnson
5 days ago
In
the wake of a coal-industry chemical spill that contaminated the water
supply of over 300,000 West Virginians, a Koch Industries political
operation stepped in. The spill into Elk River of 4-methylcyclohexanemethanol (MCHM), a coal washing agent manufactured by Eastman Chemical, came from the facilities of Freedom Industries. Freedom Industries, a closely held private company, distributes coal-mining chemicals including those made by Koch Industries subsidiary Georgia-Pacific Chemicals.
Americans for Prosperity,
the group that serves as the organizing wing
for the Koch brothers’ extensive political efforts, alerted its national
list soon after the coal-industry disaster crippled West Virginia. In
an email with the electronic signature of
AFP
President Tim Phillips, describes the “disaster” caused by the Koch
Industries chemical distributor as one that had “no warnings”:
A few days ago, there was a terrible incident in West
Virginia, which has left more than 300,000 of our fellow citizens
without safe, useable water. The water in the nine affected counties
isn’t even safe after boiling! Currently there isn’t a timeline for when the water will be safe again. . . .
There were no warnings for this disaster. There was no time to prepare once the emergency struck.
The efforts of AFP staff to distribute “clean water and supplies into West Virginia to help with relief efforts” has been promoted on conservative media.
“It is so exciting to serve our fellow West Virginians at this
crucial time of need,” explained Wendy McCuskey, the newly minted West
Virginia state director of Americans for Prosperity Foundation, in a
press release. “We are so happy to be able to meet their need for clean
water and ease this very difficult time for West Virginia families.”
The message from AFP President Phillips raise a central question: Why where there “no warnings for this disaster” and “no time to prepare”?
“Few chemicals are actually regulated by safe-drinking-water or
other water-quality rules,” the Charleston Gazette’s Ken Ward Jr. wrote,
“and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has tested only about 200
of the 84,000 chemicals in the agency’s inventory.” In addition, the
Freedom Industries facility has benefited from West Virginia’s notoriously lax oversight of the coal industry.
Koch Industries and its subsidiaries have a long record of opposing
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency efforts to tighten water quality
standards for stream-dumping and to update the Toxic Substances Control
Act (TSCA) Chemical Substance Inventory.
At Slate, reporter Dave Weigel sardonically noted the Koch group’s charitable role, writing “No one who gives away free water can be evil.”
From: Tim Phillips – Americans for Prosperity
Date: Sat, Jan 11, 2014 at 4:57 PM
Subject: West Virginians need your help
I need your help.
A few days ago, there was a terrible incident in West Virginia,
which has left more than 300,000 of our fellow citizens without safe,
useable water. The water in the nine affected counties isn’t even safe
after boiling! Currently there isn’t a timeline for when the water will be safe again.
There are thousands of suffering families, young mothers, and
elderly folks who need your help. Fortunately, Americans have a great
history of coming together during times of emergency to help those in
need. This is one of those times. AFP
Foundation, our sister organization, has already sent additional staff
loaded with clean water and supplies into West Virginia to help with
relief efforts, and hope you’ll help us bring aid to those in need.
Here are some ways you can help:
- Donate to our friends at the American Red Cross.
- Send supplies, such as water, baby wipes, and hand sanitizer to:
113 Lakeview Drive, Charleston, WV 25313
Many of our state chapters have begun putting together relief kits
to send to West Virginia. Please contact your state director, or email
us at info@afphq.org and we’ll get you in touch with the best person.
There were no warnings for this disaster. There was no time to prepare
once the emergency struck. Experts suggest that the best way to prepare
is with a 72-hour kit that includes water, food, and toiletries. As much
as we hope it doesn’t, an unexpected emergency could happen anywhere,
so please take the time today to set aside enough supplies for you and
your family for at least 72 hours. For more information on how you can
prepare you and your family for emergencies, go here.
Thank you for all you do to help your fellow Americans. I know the citizens of West Virginia will appreciate your assistance.
Sincerely,
AFP President Tim Phillips
P.S. Send an email to info@afphq.org, and we’ll let you know what supplies are needed in West Virginia.