The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission is planning to publish a booklet containing the following information: (1) the updated version of Title I of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) integrated with the provisions of the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 (MINER Act); (2) the Commission's procedural and Equal Access to Justice Act rules; and (3) the Commission's summary of Commission procedures, entitled "How a Case Proceeds Before the Commission."
These booklets are expected to be available later this fall for a small charge (approximately $5). The Commission is currently seeking feedback from the public to ascertain interest in this publication. Members of the public are urged to email the Commission at brochures@fmshrc.gov by October 1, 2007, indicating the number of copies they would anticipate ordering. This is a preliminary survey and does not obligate any future purchase. Once the booklets are available, the Commission will make an announcement and then begin accepting orders.
Some 300-400 Mountaineer and Thundering Herd fans made their way to the Charleston Civic Center Thursday evening for the Second Annual Country Roads Tailgate party.
Bob Pruett and Don Nehlen appeared along with the Mountaineer and Marshall’s Marco, as the Friends of Coal tried to get everybody in the proper frame of mind for the upcoming Friends of Coal Bowl, September 8 in Huntington.
Earlier in the week, the Friends of Coal Bowl trophy was on display in Huntington at a press conference initiated by MU. President Stephen Kopp, Athletic Director Bob Marcum and Coach Mark Snyder all praised the coal industry and specifically the Friends of Coal for their involvement with the universities and this game. Bill Raney spoke for the Friends of Coal, expressing our enthusiasm for the series and our anticipation for our upcoming trip to Huntington.
The appointment of Association Assistant Treasurer and Board member Kent Hartsog of Eastern Associated Coal Corp/Peabody Energy to the Industrial Council that oversees the Insurance Commissioner's component of Workers' Compensation was confirmed by the State Senate during the recently completed Special Session. Kent, an accountant, is most conversant with the State's workers' compensation programs and has been very active with the Human Resources Committee and the Legislature in these matters. He also chairs the Association's Tax Committee.
The State Senate also confirmed Governor Manchin’s appointment of Mike Albert as Chairman of the Public Service Commission. Mike is a retired partner from Jackson Kelly and has practiced business and utility law throughout his career. Mike replaces current Commissioner John McKinney as Chairman, but John will continue to serve on the Commission along with the other Commissioner Ed Staats.
Click to download in PDF format.
J. Brett Harvey, President and Chief
Executive Office of CONSOL Energy Inc., the nation’s largest
underground coal mining company, called on the coal industry to abandon
its incremental approach to mine safety improvement and drive accident
rates to zero at every mine in the nation.
“We need to change the paradigm and we need to change it now,” Harvey
said in a speech today before the Utah Mining Association annual
meeting in Park City, Utah.
(**Note: Brett Harvey’s speech may be viewed in its entirety by
logging on to
www.consolenergy.com and clicking on “About CONSOL” and
then click on “Speeches”)
“What industry must change is our incremental approach to safety
improvement because it creates an unintended tolerance to accidents.
We need to get to zero!”
Harvey said that improving safety in incremental steps, while
successful in reducing accidents, did not eliminate them. “Incremental
improvement still means people are getting hurt,” he explained. “If we
accept this approach, we had better be prepared to ask for the
volunteers who want to get injured this year.”
The Friends of Coal will again host its “Country Roads Tailgate Party”
Thursday evening at the Charleston Civic Center. The event will last
from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
The tailgate party is part of the pre-game festivities for the “2nd
Annual Friends of Coal Bowl” football matchup between Marshall
University and West Virginia University, scheduled for Saturday,
September 8 at Joan Edwards Stadium in Huntington.
All fans of both schools are invited to attend on Thursday. There is
no charge for the event. Trucks and SUV’s loaded with tailgate goodies
will be provided, along with music, door prizes and other special
events.
‘This game is going to be a big event as we move into the 2007 football
season,” said Friends of Coal spokesman Dan Miller. “We want to get
things started by getting Mountaineer and Thundering Herd fans together
just to have a good time. We hope that by the end of the evening,
everybody will be in the proper frame of mind for the big game.”
Rick Johnson and Mike Agnello of WCHS radio will broadcast their daily talk show from the Civic Center from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Governor Joe Manchin is expected to make an appearance as are mascots
from both schools. Friends of Coal spokesmen and former coaches Don
Nehlen and Bob Pruett will speak to the gathering and MU Athletic
Director Bob Marcum and WVU Athletic Director Eddie Pastilong have also
been invited. The revamped Friends of Coal Bowl Governor’s Trophy will
be on display.
The 18th Annual Hatfield Open, sponsored by the Kanawha Valley Mining Institute, is scheduled for Tuesday, September 18 at the Brier Patch Golf Club in Beckley, WV beginning at 11 a.m. This golf outing is to support the KVMI scholarship program and your participation is greatly appreciated, plus you have a GREAT time.
For full details go to: http://www.kvmi.org/user/2007%20Golf%20Notice.pdf
The second annual “Country Roads Tailgate Party,” is scheduled for
Thursday, August 23, at the Charleston Civic Center. The object of
this event is to bring fans of Marshall and WVU together and get
everybody in the proper frame of mind for the upcoming Friends of Coal
Bowl.
Coaches Bob Pruett and Don Nehlen will be on hand, along with the
mascots and other folks from the two universities. Mark your calendars
and come out for a good time.
There are a number of activities scheduled throughout the next three
weeks, leading up to the second Friends of Coal Bowl on September 8,
2007 in Huntington. Meetings will be held today (Friday) with the
Marshall University Athletic Director and his staff to finalize a
number of details.
The first real promotional event bringing focus to the Bowl and our
sponsorship will be a concert at Appalachian Power Park on Saturday
(August 18), featuring some leading country performers. Friends of
Coal and the Friends of Coal Bowl will be a featured part of the day's
activities as well as the regional radio advertising promoting the
event. For ticket information contact the Association or WV Radio
Corporation.
At their annual meeting this past weekend the West Virginia Coal
Association re-elected Andrew Jordon of Pritchard Mining Company to a
second term as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Pritchard Mining is
located at Hansford, WV and has operations in Boone and Kanawha
Counties. As indicated by their unanimous election, the members of the
Association are thrilled to have Jordon represent them and the coal
industry for another year.
Jordon says he is honored to have the opportunity to continue the work that he started during his previous term as Chairman.
“I’m excited to carry on the things that were started this past year in
the midst of constant scrutiny and backlash from those who oppose the
coal industry,” stated Jordon.
Over 200 area youth between the ages of six and 16 will be at Laidley Field this Saturday, May 26, 2007 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to participate in the 12th Annual “Giving Back to the Community” Free Football Camp. Mark Mason, founder of the program, and a 1991 Marshall University defensive player of the year and former all-star linebacker for the Charleston Rocketts, will be directing the charitable football camp.
Mason says the purpose of the camp is to provide an opportunity for young people within the community, who may not have the resources, to attend an athletic camp focused on teaching values and providing counseling services.
Did you know that 99% of West Virginia electricity and more than half of American electricity is generated by coal produced in West Virginia? Or that every coal mining job generates between five and six other jobs in the local economy?
Last year West Virginia mines produced 158.8 million tons of coal, 2nd only to Wyoming. Of that coal 91.9 million tons were produced in underground mining operations, more than any other state in the U.S.
