RICHMOND, Virginia – Coal companies owned by Gov. Jim Justice’s family might owe about $1.3 billion in fines to the Commonwealth of Virginia for violations of a deal to clean up oil spills at eight sites.
Blackstone Energy Ltd. is run by Justice’s son James “Jay” Justice III. The company had reached an agreement with the State Water Control Board in 2020 to resolve certain violations on unauthorized oil discharges after about 5,200 gallons of oil spilled at eight mining sites in Lee, Wise and Tazewell counties, according to WRIC-TV’s website.
Despite promises otherwise, Gov. Justice has not placed most of his family’s holdings in a blind trust, but son Jay and daughter Jill Justice handle the day-to-day operations of the businesses. Jay Justice is overseeing the family’s coal entities, while daughter Jill Justice is running The Greenbrier Resort.
Blackstone Vice President Stephen W. Ball signed a consent order with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality on July 28, 2020, agreeing to deadlines to remediate the land, including excavating soil and submitting samples.
In a July 28 filing in Richmond Circuit Court, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares’ office and the Virginia DEQ say Blackstone never met the requirements of that order, resulting in possible daily fines for each violation dating back to 2020. The filing asks Blackstone to show why it isn’t in violation of the order. Miyares’ office is handling the matter.
Virginia law sets the daily fine of up to $32,500 for each violation. That means Blackstone would owe nearly $1.3 billion in fines so far. The state also has asked the judge to consider addition penalties as well.
Justice and his companies have a long history of civil litigation regarding nonpayment of loans and of noncompliance with governmental agencies and court orders.