UPDATE: Freedom Industries Responds to WVDEP, Two Chemicals Leaked from Tank

Freedom Response to WVDEP Order

WVDEP Order for Freedom Industries

UPDATE 1/22/14 @ 5:10 p.m. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Freedom Industries says chemicals MCHM and PPH were the only two chemicals that leaked from a tank on their property into the Elk River earlier this month.

The leak, that happened on January 9, led to a state of emergency and "do not use" water ban for West Virginia American Water customers in nine West Virginia counties.

It wasn't until January 21 that the company told the DEP that PPH also leaked from the tank.

PPH is added to the Crude MCHM to act as an extender in that the Crude MCHM is available in limited, sporadic quantities, Freedom said in its response letter to the WVDEP. At the time of the release on Jan. 9, the blend in Tank No. 396, after extensive calculation, was approximately 88.5 percent Crude MCHM, and 7.3 percent PPH by weight and 4.2 percent water by weight. Our records and internal investigations indicate that there were no other materials in Tank 396 at the time of the release.

Freedoms letter was signed by Freedom President Gary Southern.

Freedom told the WVDEP on Jan. 21 that the storage tank contained roughly 300 gallons of PPH that it adds to its Crude MCHM mixture.

This material was not included in the initial information regarding the composition of the spilled materials. Failure to accurately report the type or types and quantity or quantities of the material or materials therein is a violation of state code, according to the DEP.

Having this revelation so late in the game is completely unacceptable, said WVDEP Cabinet Secretary Randy Huffman said earlier today. We have ordered Freedom to reveal any other information they have regarding the contents of the tank that leaked.

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UPDATE: Freedom Industries Responds to WVDEP, Two Chemicals Leaked from Tank