(AGENPARL) – gio 19 ottobre 2023 Issued: Oct 19, 2023 (1:44pm EDT)
If you wish to unsubscribe please do so
here: http://url6130.epa.mediaroom.com/ls/click?upn=-2BroytcZInNRyuFbAvAoN5aMEQDHIx2RtQl0jT-2FwLgZHafJKm-2F7NYrsKNAZH88rhd98aG2o5sSGIX8iVgGgXwOczi8WNFU0a7GLvUAvQ8R0RGX5bAZ9mjh1NYnKAGekGpNp0g_mLoYh0p4AWg4foFr5HgrZ1QioQ33bLwdnQ-2BsYGKFX9mApcfdQmv0-2Bvkdf9kq-2BlYjhDl7BH5o34N4938FPrGGWzzJN6YY5KAPf6REzVhk8K0HldDQQRLX2gSamr6vU-2BST3sKgexxGYv-2F9XxawNMkUv2RwXvm8wVlSRyc-2BgiT0HKVlMVbgB1WFtsYMRXUmcNTKIsidQLpfsOnj-2BcaA4StarddmLATwOAnYhaejavJE6-2B-2BeK1eF7QJLAEXWz8xSG-2Bpir2HpwdNYcsKXNE9VYUX7Vg-3D-3D
EPA Announces a Public Phone Line and Website for Residents in Fairmont, West
Virginia
Roll Out of Hotline and Website to Support Transparency and Inform the Public
about Fairmont Brine Processing Site
PHILADELPHIA (October 19, 2023) – Beginning Monday, October 23, 2023, the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mid-Atlantic Region (EPA) will open a
public phone line and roll-out a webpage to increase transparency and inform
the public about the Fairmont Brine site in Fairmont, West Virginia, where
state and federal agencies are working to secure the site and control any
potential release of hazardous materials.
The site was acquired by Fairmont Brine Processing (FBP) in 2012 and has been
inactive since 2017. FBP would treat fluids from the hydraulic fracturing
process used to extract natural gas, otherwise known as “brine.” In May 2023,
there was a fire and explosion at the site that led to increased concern about
the potential release of contamination.
EPA is coordinating with the West Virginia Department of Environmental
Protection (WV DEP), West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
(WV DHHR), Marion County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Services,
and others to ensure a unified response to protect the public. EPA’s
response will focus on radionuclides in the form of TENORM (Technologically
Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material). TENORM is a naturally
occurring radioactive material that has been concentrated or exposed to the
environment because of human activities such as manufacturing, mineral
extraction, or water processing.
EPA, DHHR, and WVDEP have been on-site to evaluate emergency actions needed to
stabilize the site and will be doing a thorough evaluation of any
contamination releases to the environment. EPA will also secure the site to
prevent unauthorized access and potential exposure to the public. The agency
and its contractor have implemented security measures at the front entrance
and lower complex including interim barriers and NO TRESPASSING signage and
are planning to fence off the area soon. The response team will regularly be
on site to perform work, which should further deter public access.
DHHR, on behalf of the State, has coordinated with the Marion County
Sheriff’s Department to increase patrols around the site.
The WVDEP and DHHR have worked with FBP to take precautions to prevent
radionuclides from leaving the site, including enforcement action, and
implementing a plan of corrective action to remove waste material and prevent
onsite ponds from overflowing.
EPA understands the need for certainty and clear information regarding the
Fairmont Brine site and has developed a Joint Information Center (JIC)
involving all responding agencies. The JIC will work together to coordinate
effective communication with the public. The Fairmont Brine site public phone
line, website, and formation of a JIC are a testament to EPA’s commitment to
providing the public with accurate and timely information.
Please visit the response website at http://www.response.epa.gov.fairmontbrine or
call the public phone line at (800) 438-2474. The phone line will be staffed
Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. If you are unable to
reach someone, please leave a voicemail, and an EPA representative will return
your call as soon as possible. 
To unsubscribe or change your settings click here:
http://url6130.epa.mediaroom.com/ls/click?upn=-2BroytcZInNRyuFbAvAoN5aMEQDHIx2RtQl0jT-2FwLgZFdW2WYdzQmaasDKJ3YChU3fzTUKjfKykHHYgEH-2FpdFfI0t5IwpuImM3suo0YzA12FRuusLI8WQiHwxcwEwBYo2cQyd-2BmRLgJAELfAfRjUBTw-3D-3DR5uL_mLoYh0p4AWg4foFr5HgrZ1QioQ33bLwdnQ-2BsYGKFX9mApcfdQmv0-2Bvkdf9kq-2BlYjhDl7BH5o34N4938FPrGGWzzJN6YY5KAPf6REzVhk8K00b6pCpkck53U8zXAUsQmKwkmH1KRd1Pq7iEmwxi7W-2BeCsS9fCIv6uZYF7eLi9KYdTMeGXQtbJzdg4bHTq-2Ff7r34gWNCGjbEt9DkK-2FqQTsnAICKftGVOneE1kigOCswqapqmjCfFaUXwGXnAkP-2BY92huA-2FAtVYMeyJq28OgD-2BeAQ-3D-3D