West Virginia Code Chapter 22. Environmental Resources § 22-18-2. Declaration of policy

(1) Continuing technological progress and increases in the amount of manufacture and the abatement of air and water pollution have resulted in ever increasing quantities of hazardous wastes;

(2) The public health and safety and the environment are threatened where hazardous wastes are not managed in an environmentally sound manner;

(3) The knowledge and technology necessary for alleviating adverse health, environmental and aesthetic impacts resulting from current hazardous waste management and disposal practices are generally available;

(4) The manufacture, refinement, processing, treatment and use of coal, raw chemicals, ores, petroleum, gas and other natural and synthetic products are activities that make a significant contribution to the economy of this state; and

(5) The problem of managing hazardous wastes has become a matter of statewide concern.

(1) To protect the public health and safety and the environment from the effects of the improper, inadequate or unsound management of hazardous wastes;

(2) To establish a program of regulation over the storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous wastes;

(3) To assure the safe and adequate management of hazardous wastes within this state; and

(4) To assume regulatory primacy through Subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.