Drone photos indicate that concrete walls are rising on the Rockwool site in Ranson, W.Va., a signal that construction of the manufacturing complex to produce mineral wool fiber has begun in earnest. Official groundbreaking took place on June 26, 2018 and site preparation has proceeded since then. Construction of the plant was delayed for six months from Rockwool’s original timeline.
One low structure was erected during site preparation, but construction of concrete walls suggests that Rockwool has received a vertical building permit. A Ranson city employee, however, would not confirm the issuing of the permit.
Trenching to lay a gas pipeline has also begun along the perimeter of the site.
Infrastructure to service the Jefferson Orchards site of the Rockwool factory has made progress. Recent approval of a bond by the Charles Town Building Commission assured that sewer lines will reach the Rockwool plant. Rockwool is financing and building its own water line after the Jefferson County Development Authority (JCDA) failed to pass the water bond guaranteed by the state. Jefferson Utilities is constructing the water line. Former JCDA member Lee Snyder is the director and president of Jefferson Utilities.
Both bonds were part of the incentives package provided to Rockwool by the West Virginia Development Office.
Special measures were taken to accommodate Rockwool’s industrial activities. In September 2017, Ranson passed an ordinance amending the official zoning map for the city specifically to change the zoning of Jefferson Orchards to industrial.
Concrete walls are being erected on the Rockwool site./Photo by Brent Walls, Upper Potomac RiverkeeperThe Rockwool site is located across the street and only 2,600 feet from North Jefferson Elementary School. Local residents object to the large amount of polluting emissions, truck traffic and noise from Rockwool in such close proximity to this and other schools.
The safety of the plant is also questioned when construction is occurring in an area of unstable terrain. Ten sinkholes have been confirmed on the Rockwool site. One more sinkhole is in the path of the gas pipeline on the site. A large sinkhole recently opened up on the grounds of North Jefferson Elementary.
In spite of fierce opposition, Rockwool has publicly stated that it is not abandoning the Ranson project, saying, “we look forward to being a contributing member of the Jefferson County community.”
Photos by Brent Walls, Upper Potomac Riverkeeper.
