Yesterday, March 12, 2015, was a historic day in that Governor Tomblin signed SB 357, one of the most extensive, comprehensive and substantive revisions of WV’s mine safety and environmental laws ever passed by a Legislature. While the Coal Jobs and Safety Act 2015 was passed in a strong bipartisan fashion in both the State Senate and the House of Delegates, it would not have been possible without the strong leadership in both houses of the Legislature. SB 357 contains the mine safety issues (movement of equipment, drug testing changes, diesel commission repeal, track within 1,500 feet of face and sideboards on shuttle cars) and the environmental issues (permit as a shield, AL water quality standard rule, permit penalty conformance, inactive status, contemporaneous reclamation and impoundment standards) of our original legislative program. The Governor’s approval was accompanied by a resolution that will be considered by both houses which calls for the WV Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety to review and consider changes to the movement of equipment regulations. SB 357 will become effective on June 2, 2015.
Passage of SB 357, which began months before the Session started, was a true product of teamwork among all the members who helped and assisted with letters, drafting, phone calls, visits and everyday efforts at the Capitol. Thanks to all and a detailed summary of SB 357 is below.