Jack Spadaro
 | This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. (April 2018) |
Jack Spadaro | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jack Spadaro |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Mine Health & Safety and Environmental Consultant |
| Known for | Revealing details of oversight of United States government in relation to coal safety |
Jack Spadaro is a mining engineer from West Virginia who is known for bringing attention to oversights of the government in relation to the Martin County coal slurry spill and whistleblowing on the subsequent downplaying of the role of the government and Massey Energy in the disaster.[1]
Background
Education
Jack Spadaro was born in West Virginia and attended Mt. Hope High School, graduating in 1967.[2] Under the guidance of an influential English teacher from this school who was married to the[who?] Bureau of Mines at that time he received a scholarship to West Virginia University where he studied mining engineering.[3]
Career
Two years after graduation from college, Spadaro was teaching and doing research when, on February 26, 1972, the Buffalo Creek flood disaster occurred. Spadaro was one of the investigators called upon by Governor Arch Moore to investigate the matter. When Jack arrived he noticed dead bodies being pulled from the mud.[4] This instance inspired him to protect miners and regulate laws in those communities.[citation needed]
He began to uncover information that proved dams built across West Virginia had not used common engineering methods. The vice president of Buffalo Mining, Steve Dasovich, said that during the construction of one dam on Buffalo Creek no engineering calculations were made. Nearly a decade later Spadaro joined the Department of Natural Resources and began building an inventory of dams and enforcing new laws regulating coal waste and dam construction.
Jack Spadaro spent his career overseeing environmental disasters and damages caused by coal mining activities. For 38 years he worked alongside companies, citizens, and many other organizations to combat hazards that correlate with coal mining incidents and processes. Jack Spadaro worked as a Mine Safety and Health Administration consultant, providing assistance as an expert witness in cases that involved damages to both the environment, and mining incidents that have affected workers. Spadaro has been a key witness due to his personal experience with many of the nation's largest mining incidents to this date.
Martin County sludge spill
The Martin County sludge spill was an incident that Spadaro worked intricately on. This coal slurry impoundment resulted from the Massey Energy Company's mining expeditions in that area. Jack Spadaro was brought in to the area of the spill to carry out an investigation with his colleagues. This investigation led to the discovery of a previous spill at the same confinement that held the coal slurry which spilled out into Martin County. There were many different accusations and claims that this problem had been fixed in the past, but through Spadaro's efforts and investigation, it was brought to light that engineers were aware of the previous spill in 1994, and that the issue had been ongoing until it broke in October.[3]
Jack Spadaro came forward with viable evidence and sources stemming from his research. This information intended to show the origin of the spill. During this time, the Bush administration had a strong push for more energy, which led to the deregulation of most energy companies.[3] On June 4, 2003, government agents entered Spadaro’s office and went through his files. He was locked out and placed on administrative leave for accusations. Spadaro stated that the Bush administration was covering up the Martin County, KY, sludge spill. Spadaro also complained that the new administration had given lucrative contracts for work at the academy to friends. The MSHA denied the accusations, while Jack claimed the program was divided into 186 smaller contracts.[5]
References
- ^ Leung, Rebecca (2004-04-01). "A Toxic Cover-Up?". cbsnews.com.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "Jack Spadaro - Resume". www.jackspadaro.com.
- ^ a b c Bryant, Annie (2007). "Interview with Jack Spadaro" (PDF). Appalachian Journal. 34: 3/4 – via JSTOR.
- ^ Sewell, Brian (2012-02-21). "Remembering Buffalo Creek". Appalachian Voices.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ Wellington, Beth (2006-02-05). "Jack Spadaro's Fight Against Bush's MSHA".
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