CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- The federal Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation Enforcement has agreed to meet with residents who fear a catastrophic failure of a 7 billion gallon coal slurry dam in southern West Virginia could rain sludge down on their homes, businesses and children.
Roger Calhoun, director of the agency's Charleston field office, told roughly 20 concerned citizens who gathered outside his office Tuesday, across from a playground, he would meet with them inside.
Regulators have ordered stability tests on the dam. But they're not convinced there's a problem with its construction.
Impoundments - used to contain both solid refuse and coal slurry, the wastewater produced when coal is washed to help it burn more cleanly - have failed before. But it's been nearly 40 years since it happened in West Virginia.
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