Massey Energy just issued a response to Sen. Robert C. Byrd’s strongly worded statement yesterday, in which Byrd said Massey’s unwillingness to help fund the relocation of Marsh Fork Elementary School in Raleigh County away from a Massey coal processing plant and slurry impoundment showed:

… Blatant disregard for the impact of their mining practices on our communities, residents and particularly our children. 

Massey’s statement said:

We were surprised by Senator Byrd’s comments.  Had Senator Byrd contacted us to formally discuss Marsh Fork Elementary, we would have told him that Massey has not been approached by the Raleigh County School Board about possible assistance to fund a new school.  Only the press has made such inquiries. 

The statement rattled off a long list of reasons Massey believes the slurry impoundment up the hollow from Marsh Fork Elementary is safe, and concluded:

The most upsetting comments from Senator Byrd were those regarding our alleged blatant disregard for human life and safety because of greed.  We work every day to ensure the safety of our miners and we are committed to improving the quality of life in the communities where our members live and work.

I’ve posted a copy of the company’s entire statement here.