Jefferson County Vision

Jefferson County Courthouse on a cloudy day

Legal & Legislative Updates

Jefferson County Vision is engaged in ongoing legal and legislative battles on numerous fronts—municipal, county, and state—on behalf of every resident who cares about preserving our quality of life.

The Rockwool Story

How did a federally funded plan to build a sustainable community devolve so quickly into a heavy industrial facility permitted to be the second-largest emitter of VOCs in the state of WV?

Photography illustration of smoke stack pollution on tree with cracked landscape in the foreground.

The 21-story smokestacks are permitted to emit 470 tons of volatile organic compounds and 239 tons of nitrogen oxides each year. This will make the Rockwool the second-largest VOC polluter and the tenth Hazardous Fine Particulate Matter polluter in the state of WV.

Update: Our Continued Legal Action Against the City of Ranson

On July 15, Jefferson County Vision filed an amendment to its 2018 rezoning complaint against the City of Ranson stating plainly what we all already knew. This Amended Complaint for Declaratory Judgement alleges that Ranson violated its 2012 Comprehensive Plan and engaged in illegal and improper zoning on behalf of Rockwool.

The amendment is the latest step in a grassroots effort to stop the inappropriate industrialization of Jefferson County. Despite Ranson correcting procedural errors made in the initial advertising of the zoning ordinance in the summer of 2017—corrections that were ordered by the Court in May 2020—JCV maintains this zoning ordinance is not only illegal and improper, but that special consideration was given for Rockwool’s zoning needs.

We are requesting that the Court declare the subject zoning ordinance changes and zoning map amendments invalid and void as a matter of law.

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Timeline: The Fight Against Rockwool

Sep 17 2020
Danish Institution Investigates Rockwool’s Actions in West Virginia
Investigation Appears to be the First Time U.S. Citizens Have Received Help from the Organization to Protect Against Corporate Violations of International Environmental, Health and Human Rights Standards on U.S....
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Aug 01 2020
Rockwool’s Fuel Source Change Announcement is More Greenwashing
RANSON, W.Va. (August 1, 2020) — On July 31, 2020, one day after Jefferson County Foundation (JCF) released incriminating documentation of ongoing secretive arrangements between Rockwool and the West Virginia...
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Jul 16 2020
Jefferson County Vision Continues Legal Action Against City of Ranson
RANSON, W.Va. (July 16, 2020) — Jefferson County Vision (JCV) filed an Amended Complaint for Declaratory Judgment in the Rezoning case against the City of Ranson on July 15, 2020....
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Jun 24 2020
Ranson Redo—AGAIN!
Ranson, W.Va (June 24, 2020) — The Ranson City Council has decided that their approval of the Zoning Ordinance wasn't proper. According to an announcement from Ranson City Manager Tony ...
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Jun 22 2020
Concerned Citizens to Rally Against Ranson Rezoning on June 23
RANSON, W.Va. (June 22, 2020) — Citizens of Jefferson County and the surrounding area will gather for a physically distanced rally of no more than 100 people around Ranson City...
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Jun 04 2020
Urge Ranson to Stand Against Heavy Industry Rezoning
Take Action The City of Ranson is seeking to correct mistakes it made in 2017 when the city rezoned portions of the Jefferson Orchards property to industrial use, which benefited...
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May 15 2020
City of Ranson Seeks to Re-Enact Failed Industrial Ordinance
RANSON, W.Va. (May 15, 2020) — The City of Ranson is on a fast track to correct mistakes it made in 2017 when the city rezoned portions of the Jefferson...
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May 08 2020
Jefferson County Vision Calls Upon Ranson to Revoke Rockwool’s Building Permit
RANSON, W.Va. (May 8, 2020) — Jefferson County Vision (JCV) called upon the City of Ranson to revoke Rockwool’s building permit immediately. A cease work request was delivered today to...
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May 06 2020
Circuit Court Rejects City of Ranson Rezoning to Heavy Industry
Jefferson County Vision (JCV) holds Ranson accountable for their unlawful attempt to limit public notice on the Rockwool project CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. (May 6, 2020) — On May 5, Jefferson...
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May 01 2020
JCV Continues to Urge Jefferson County Department of Health to Closely Monitor Working Conditions at the Rockwool Site During Pandemic
On April 5 JCV sent this letter to the Jefferson County Department of Health (DOH) detailing concerns around ongoing construction at the Rockwool-Ranson construction site and Covid-19. Dr. Reidy wrote...
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Apr 10 2020
Ongoing Construction at Rockwool-Ranson Factory Site during COVID-19 Crisis Puts the Health of our Communities at Risk
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Feb 14 2020

Legal Update February 3, 2020
JCV vs. ROCKWOOL ET AL. (PILOT CASE) Summary — On November 2, 2018 JCV filed the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the PILOT arrangement...
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Jan 05 2020

Over 200 people attend the Jefferson County Foundation workshop on Rockwool
On January 3, 2020, Jefferson County Foundation hosted a Community Forum on Rockwool at Shepherd University. The at-capacity crowd heard local scientists present their concerns regarding the Rockwool facility’s air...
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Dec 27 2019

Citizens and Elected Officials File Formal Complaint Against Rockwool with Danish Mediators
On October 21st, a group of civic organizations and elected officials have filed an official complaint against Rockwool with the Danish Mediation and Complaints-Handling Institution for Responsible Business Conduct. The complaint describes...
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Dec 27 2019

13 Key Points: Rockwool and Air Quality in Jefferson County
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Oct 09 2019

Legal Update, October 9, 2019
JCV vs. ROCKWOOL ET AL. (PILOT CASE) Summary — On November 2, 2018 JCV filed the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the PILOT arrangement...
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Sep 16 2019

Jefferson County Vision (JCV) Files Writ to Require Ranson to Abide by the Law
CHARLES TOWN, WV. Rockwool is building its factory without a valid Building Permit, because there is no valid plan for sewer service. The first rule of construction permitting: for work...
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Aug 25 2019

Learn and Preserve: Jefferson County Water Symposium on Sept 28
Learn and Preserve: Jefferson County Regional Water SymposiumHosted by the Rural Agricultural Defenders (RAD)September 28, 2019, 9:00 am -3:00 pm at the Clarion Inn in Harpers Ferry, WV.This single day...
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Aug 22 2019

WV DEP Needs to Hold Hearing on Rockwool’s Water Permits
Delegate John DoyleDelegate Sammi BrownDelegate Paul EspinosaSenator Patricia RuckerSenator John UngerOriginal Letter Attached to EmailTo Our State and Local Leadership, Public participation is an important and required aspect of the environmental...
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Aug 10 2019

Rockwool’s Multi-Million Dollar Tax Giveaway is NOT ENFORCEABLE
CHARLES TOWN, WV. Jefferson County Vision (JCV) cheered yesterday’s Circuit Court ruling which declared the multi-million dollar Rockwool PILOT “is not an enforceable agreement.” Rockwool and its supporters have...
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Aug 08 2019

Circuit Court: Rockwool PILOT tax breaks are “faulty”
JCV PILOT CASE RULING RECEIVED Jefferson County Vision has just received the first of two long awaited rulings - the PILOT case. "The Court agrees with the plaintiff's contention that...
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Jul 23 2019

White Paper: Mineral Wool Insulation is Not Green, Sustainable or Environmentally Friendly
Mineral wool is made from stone melted in furnaces. Stone is not a recycled or sustainable material. It is extremely energy-intensive to produce and has high embodied energy. The manufacturing process involves on-site fuel...
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Jul 17 2019

“Blue Petition” Legal Action Stops $16 Million Industrial Sewer Bond Issuance in its Tracks
Jefferson County Vision (JCV) and several residents of Charles Town filed a legal request last week in Circuit Court for an order that the City Council follow state law, accept...
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Jun 28 2019

Understanding Rockwool’s Sponsorship Campaign
Dear Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Board of Directors: When the working people of Jefferson County pay our taxes-- a basic civic duty-- we don’t get to put our name...
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Jun 12 2019

Two Rockwool-related lawsuits heard in Circuit Court; scrutiny and attention falls on the City of Ranson
Three hours of oral argument before Judge Hammer and a packed gallery in the historic Jefferson County Courthouse on Tuesday brought two of Jefferson County Vision’s cases related to Rockwool—a...
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May 19 2019

Charles Town Property Owners Present Protest Petition to City Council
PRESS RELEASE Over 1,500 citizens of Charles Town are, again, demanding that the Charles Town City Council and Building Commission hold a hearing to accept a Protest Petition opposing the...
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Apr 30 2019

Federal Courts Overreach, Block Board of Education
Rockwool continues to wield the levers of government power against Jefferson County residents in the company’s quest to build a megafactory next to local schools.The latest outrage is an overreach...
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Apr 24 2019

Jefferson County Vision Sends Letter to Charles Town on Sewer Bond Petition
According to state law, Charles Town must accept the sewer bond petition.View the letter (.pdf)
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Apr 01 2019

Blue Ridge Conservation Alliance Analysis Shows Sweeping Views of Rockwool’s Smokestacks
Rockwool is a terrible fit for our economy and our health. The plant's 213 foot smokestacks will also ruin historic views across the county. Check out this viewshed map which...
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Mar 26 2019

West Virginia PSC Ignores Staff Recommendations, Denies Review of Rockwool Waterline
CHARLES TOWN, WV. The Public Service Commission (PSC) overruled their own staff recommendation today and declined to intervene or reconsider the Rockwool/Jefferson Utilities water line project.Rockwool announced in January that...
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Mar 24 2019

Charles Town Utility Board FOIA Response
Download the request letter, from Dec. 2018 (.pdf)Download CTUB's Feb. 2019 response (.pdf)
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Mar 17 2019

Charles Town City Council Should Table Vote on $16 Million Sewer Bond Backed by Faulty Projections, Irregular Accounting, and Wrong Data Provided to Regulators
CHARLES TOWN. Monday night, the City Council may consider a $16 million bond ordinance to fund a Charles Town Utility Board (CTUB) sewer plan built on faulty projections, shady budget...
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Mar 17 2019
Charles Town City Council Backs Sewer Bond to Build Industrial Zone in Jefferson County
It's staggering to witness a board of elected officials ignore the overwhelming outcry against the plan to industrialize a school zone in Jefferson County. We, the people who have come...
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Mar 16 2019
Rockwool January 2019 Sinkhole Inspection
Our Karst geology and widespread well-water means heavy industry in Jefferson County puts our drinking water at risk. Rockwool is still working to mitigate the sinkholes on the Jefferson Orchard...
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Mar 11 2019
JCV Calls For Transparency at CTUB
March 12, 2019Dear Mr. CTUB Chairman, In anticipation of the Charles Town Utility Board Meeting on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 Jefferson County Vision reviewed the Meeting Agenda Packet posted on...
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Feb 26 2019
A Letter to DEP About CTUB’s Knowingly Incorrect Information
February 26, 2019Secretary Austin CapertonWest Virginia Dept of Environmental Protection601 - 57th Street SECharleston, WV 25304Dear Secretary Caperton,I want to make you aware that the Charles Town Utility Board (CTUB)...
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Feb 24 2019
Key Issues Overview on the Charles Town Sewer Proposal
Commissioner Liz McDonald Commissioner William WarrenCommissioner Mary Ellen MahoneyCommissioner Albert GlascockCommissioner Keith Veler Charles Town Building Commission101 East Washington...
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Feb 07 2019
IJDC FOIA Responses
City of Ranson: Route 9 Infrastructure Project, IJDC Sewer Funding Application Package 11/10/17 Emails thread on Sewer Application 11/27/17 IJDC Loan Reassignment IJDC Loan Reassignment JCDA Project Administration RE Project...
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Jan 23 2019
Company Selected to Study Rockwool Health Hazards Bails After BoE Scrutiny
The Jefferson County Board of Education announced today that Gradient Corporation has withdrawn from the health study of the impact of Rockwool on nearby schools.BoE stated: “During this due diligence...
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Jan 19 2019

Rockwool Partial Building Plans For Review
Jefferson County Vision has obtained the initial building plans (30% complete) from late March, 2018, and is sharing them with the public for review. Please take a look at fire...
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Jan 10 2019
Rockwool Abandons Government-Backed Waterline as “Operation Shuttle” Unravels
CHARLES TOWN, WV. In the face of Jefferson County Vision (JCV) litigation against the Jefferson County Development Authority's (JCDA) unlawful waterline plan, Rockwool is abandoning a key part of their...
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Dec 12 2018
LAWSUIT: City of Ranson Failed to Make Required Public Notice When Rezoning for Rockwool Smokestacks
CHARLES TOWN, WV. The City of Ranson failed to provide adequate public notice, as required by statute, when it modified both its zoning ordinance and zoning map to permit heavy...
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Nov 26 2018
Did JCDA follow the law when it took the Rockwool water line project from Ranson?
November 20, 2018Jefferson County Development Authorityc/o Nicolas H. Diehl, Executive Director1948 Wiltshire Road, Suite No. 4Kearneysville, WV 25430 Re: Rockwool Water ProjectDear Mr. Diehl: Please be advised that I...
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Oct 29 2018
2018 Elections: State and Local Candidate Voter Guide
Rockwool is a global-scale insulation factory with 21 story smokestacks that will produce toxic emissions. The state and local government are sponsoring Rockwool with tens of millions of dollars in...
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Oct 27 2018
Potomac Valley Audubon Society Issues Opposition Statement to Rockwool
Download the Statement (.pdf)STATEMENT TEXT:To: Senator ManchinFrom: Potomac Valley Audubon SocietyRe: Opposition Statement on Rockwool Plant proposed for Jefferson County, WVThe Potomac Valley Audubon Society (PVAS) has served Berkeley, Jefferson...
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Oct 25 2018
The “Secret” Deal Between West Virginia and Rockwool for $2.2 Million in Free Money
Rockwool is grabbing $2.2 million in our tax dollars directly from the West Virginia treasury.The public didn't know about this agreement until it was provided in response to a Freedom...
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Oct 24 2018

JCDA PETITION FOR REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT
Sign the petition for the removal and replacement of the members of the Jefferson County Development Authority (JCDA) (more…)
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Oct 14 2018
REVEALED: West Virginia Government Giving Rockwool $2.2 million in Direct Funding
From a FOIA response, Jefferson County Vision has discovered our state government is giving Rockwool $2.2 million in direct taxpayer funding. This is beyond the generous infrastructure funding and Rockwool’s...
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Oct 10 2018
The City of Brunswick, Maryland Formally Opposes Rockwool
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Oct 09 2018
Physicians from the American Academy of Pediatrics Challenge Rockwool
SHENANDOAH JUNCTION, WV. The West Virginia chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics released a letter yesterday challenging the proposed Rockwool insulation factory located near schools in Jefferson County.READ THE...
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Nominations Sought for JCV Board of Directors

Jefferson County Vision, now in its third year, is seeking concerned citizens to continue its fight against heavy industry in Jefferson County. JCV has been and will continue to be a grass-roots organization and has thrived because it has depended upon volunteers with dedication and diverse skill sets. There is a new opportunity available for those who want to carry on our battle at a higher level.