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  • Home
  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Board of Directors
    • Finances
  • The Rockwool Story
    • How Did We Get Here?
    • Legal & Legislative Updates
    • The Incentives Trap
    • Rockwool in the Media
  • Timelines
    • Ranson and Rockwool
    • The Orchard and NorthPort Station
  • Impacts
    • Toxic Impacts
    • Our Air
    • Our Schools
    • Our Water
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    • Donate
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Slide Worth Fighting For Worth Fighting For Clean Air & Water Sustainable Growth No Heavy Industry Open Spaces & Farmland
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.

Rockwool protestor holding a

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.

Toxic Impacts

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.

CCARHomecoming_PerfectShot

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. 

Learn More

Timeline: The Fight Against Rockwool

  • Nov 30 2020
    Legal Update November 24, 2020
    JCV vs. CITY OF RANSON (REZONING CASE) Summary — On November 5, 2020, JCV filed an amended complaint in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County asking for Declaratory Judgement and...
    Read More
  • Oct 29 2020
    Legal Update October 16, 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...
    Read More
  • 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....
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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....
    Read More
  • 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 ...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • Apr 10 2020
    Ongoing Construction at Rockwool-Ranson Factory Site during COVID-19 Crisis Puts the Health of our Communities at Risk
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • Dec 27 2019
    13 Key Points: Rockwool and Air Quality in Jefferson County
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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)
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • Mar 24 2019
    Charles Town Utility Board FOIA Response
    Download the request letter, from Dec. 2018 (.pdf)Download CTUB's Feb. 2019 response (.pdf)
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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)...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More
  • 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…)
    Read More
  • 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...
    Read More

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Recents Posts

  • Legal Update November 24, 2020
  • Legal Update October 16, 2020
  • Danish Institution Investigates Rockwool’s Actions in West Virginia
  • Rockwool’s Fuel Source Change Announcement is More Greenwashing
  • Jefferson County Vision Continues Legal Action Against City of Ranson

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