The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) published a direct final rule in the Federal Register on December 29, 2009.  The rule will make non-substantive organizational changes to the Agency’s existing regulations for reporting accidents and determining penalty amounts for failure to report certain accidents.  These changes will allow MSHA to automate the Agency’s assessment process for violations involving immediate notification of an accident and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of MSHA’s assessment process.  These changes do not impact the compliance burden placed on mine operators nor the health or safety of miners.

Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 paved way for major reforms
The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) today commemorated the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 (Mine Act), which instituted the strongest and most comprehensive occupational safety and health protections that had ever been enacted in the country.

According to Kent Hartsog (Patriot Coal), who is the industry representative on the Workers’ Compensation Industrial Council, the monthly Council meeting scheduled for January 7, 2010 has been changed to Thursday, January 21, 2010, at 3:00 p.m.  The meeting will be held at the Offices of the WV Insurance Commissioner, 1124 Smith Street, Room 400, Charleston.

The link is to a video of Mr. John Coleman, founder of the Weather Channel, who presents a compelling argument for his love of the planet and the facts that demonstrate carbon dioxide is not causing "Global Warming."

http://www.kusi.com/home/78477082.html?video=pop&t=a

During this holiest of seasons, the Friends of Coal would like to wish all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah and a joyous, safe and secure New Year!
We want to take the time to thank God for all the blessings he has bestowed on our nation and our people. He has given us so many gifts and poured his bounty upon us all.
We want to thank our military men and women for the sacrifice they give willingly to afford us the freedoms we enjoy. We ask that a loving God bring them home when their work is done.
We want to thank you for all the support you have given us this past year. It has been a trying year – but we have faced it together and we will make it through, more united and more determined than ever.
We want to take a moment to remember those who have passed from our rolls this year and be thankful for the proud legacy they provided for our future. 
We want to always remember those in need ... to reach out and extend our bounty to those less fortunate.
Let us join as one to welcome the New Year and with it a new beginning – a rebirth of freedom and a renewal of hope.