CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin wants the West Virginia facility that caused a chemical spill torn to the ground.
The Democratic senator said in a Thursday news release that Freedom Industries' Charleston site should be destroyed and cleaned. On Jan. 9, chemicals oozed out of a tank, through a cracked wall and into the Elk River. About 300,000 people were banned from drinking or bathing in water for days.
A company official did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment.
Manchin said demolishing the facility and its tanks is the only way to restore confidence in the water system.
Manchin spokesman Jonathan Kott said the senator is looking into mechanisms to order the demolition.