SOUTH CHARLESTON – West Virginia Coal Association Vice President Jason Bostic provided an overview of the 3,000+ page rewrite of the federal mining regulations proposed by the Office of Surface Mining as the Stream Protection Rule.

The presentation focused on the most problematic issues with the rule, such as the potential impact on underground mining operations and the inclusion un-codified water quality standards with the mining permits.

CHARLESTON - The September episode of the West Virginia Coal Association’s Coal Seam television show is now on the air. The special guest was Senate President and Lt. Governor Bill Cole, who discussed the issues related to the President’s Carbon and Mercury Rules and their impact on the future of coal in the state – focusing specifically on what the state can do on its own to help the industry compete while continuing to push back on the Obama Administration’s regulatory assault.

Cole also discussed the 2016 Legislative Agenda, saying that a big part of the upcoming session would be focused on tax reform and other means to help state businesses compete.

The Coal Seam is available on your local public access cable channel, including Suddenlink Channel 17 in the southern part of the state. Check your local listings for the dates and times.

US COAL PRODUCTION CONTINUES TO GAIN AND CLOSES GAP ON 2014

CHARLESTON –Coal production in the U.S. for the week ending August 29^th rose for the fourthstraight week, continuing a long-term upward trend, and to narrow the gap to last year’s totals significantly in recent weeks, according to the latest report from the Energy Information Agency (EIA).

The 2015 edition of Coal Facts, the West Virginia Coal Association’s annual report on the status of the state’s coal industry, is now available. It is available at the WVCA’s office in Charleston or for download at http://www.wvcoal.com/docs/Coal%20Facts%202015.pdf. Drop by and see us or visit our website for your copy today.

CHARLESTON - Attached for your information is a pre-publication copy of aproposed rulethat the Mine Safety and Health Administration will publish in theFederal Registertomorrow regarding the installation of proximity detection system on underground mining equipment. Also attached is afact sheetthat the agency has prepared. Comments on the rule must be submitted 90-days following publication, approximately Dec. 2, 2015.

Under the proposed rule operators of underground coal mines would be required to install proximity detection systems on mining equipment, coal hauling machines and scoops on working sections using continuous mining machines. Consistent with the proximity requirements for continuous mining machines the proposal indicates that the final rule will be phased-in over a period of 8-36 months depending upon the date of manufacture and installation of proximity technology in advance of the final rule. The proposal solicits comments on application of this rule to equipment in use off the working section. Additionally, the proposed rule is only applicable to underground coal mines however; MSHA specifically solicits comment on extending this rule to underground metal and nonmetal operations as well.