CHARLESTON -- Two additional mine safety bills were passed by the Legislature directing the Board of Coal Mine Health & Safety to study two mine safety topics. 

HB 2437 requiring the automatic de-energization of longwall shears and cutting heads on continuous miners when methane gas exceeds 1%.

HB 2888 strengthening requirements for whistleblowers to the Board of Coal Mine Health & Safety for study and rule-making consideration.

The Board is to investigate the requirements embodied in HB 2437 & HB 2888 to determine whether additional rules or revisions to existing rules are appropriate and report it findings to the Legislature by December 31, 2011.

West Virginia Innovative Mine Safety Technology Tax Credit Act Passes.

Late Saturday evening before the annual legislative session concluded, HB 2955 was adopted which generally raises permit fees for surface mining facilities. 

However, the legislation was amended earlier in the day by the State Senate by amending the provisions of SB 519 into the House bill, to establish the “West Virginia Innovative Mine Safety Technology Tax Credit Act”. 

The “West Virginia Innovative Mine Safety Technology Tax Credit Act” encourages new investment in mine safety technologies by providing for a credit against business franchise and corporate net taxes up to fifty percent (50%) of the investment cost of qualifying safety technologies.

The Act requires the  Mine Safety Technology Task Force and director of the WV Office of Miners’ Health, Safety & Training to develop a list of approved innovative mine safety technologies which qualify for the tax credit. Safety protection or technologies required by state or federal law are excluded from the Act.

WASHINGTON, DC -- On March 8, 2011, MSHA will publish a notice in the Federal Register soliciting additional comment on the proposed rule addressing Lowering Miners’ Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust, Including Continuous Personal Dust Monitors. 

MSHA has identified 27 specific areas for which we are seeking additional comment. The notice will be available for viewing on March 7, 2011 at the Office of the Federal Register, Public Inspection Desk:http://www.federalregister.gov/inspection.aspx. 

The proposed rule was published on October 19, 2010 (75 FR 64412) and is available on MSHA’s website. All comments must be received or postmarked by midnight Eastern Daylight Saving time on May 2, 2011.

CHARLESTON -- The Friends of Coal is continuing its outreach efforts in print, broadcast and web media, as well as maintaining a presence at various events in the state:

PRINT:

A recent special section on the importance of coal was printed by the Charleston Newspapers. The section was published in the Sunday edition of the Charleston Gazette-Mail and featured stories on the benefits of coal to the state and nation. 

 

CHARLESTON -- Governor Tomblin will be presenting CEDAR with a Coal Education Proclamation declaring the week of April 18 – April 22, 2011 (10th Regional Coal Fair to be held at the Harless Community Center) Coal Education week in West Virginia, on Monday, March 28, 2011, at 11 am in the West Wing governor's reception room at the State Capitol.

Please Contact Georgene Robertson, CEDAR of Southern West Virginia, Inc. at 304/792-8433 for more information.