More than 1,500 coal miners have tested positive for drug use since Kentucky began screenings six years ago, creating additional risks in an already dangerous industry.

That information from the Office of Mine Safety and Licensing convinced the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee to approve legislation Thursday to eliminate loopholes in current law that could allow miners who abuse drugs to return to work in Kentucky.

The legislation would revoke the mine certifications for three years for first offenders, five years for second offenders and for life for third offenders. Current law allows miners to be retested after 10 days. Those who test negative can then return to work.

According to the EIA’s latest weekly report, coal production nationwide continues to drop, down 0.5 percent while West Virginia’s coal production is down 0.8 percent for the year ending 2/19/12.  This is compared to just 0.3 percent nationally and 0.5 percent for West Virginia for the previous week, suggesting the decline in demand is getting steeper.

This sharp decrease is fueled by both a drop in demand as the nation’s utilities work through stockpiles of coal left from a mild winter and decreased demand for met coal because of the economic uncertainties around the world, as well as regulatory uncertainty caused by the Obama EPA’s on-going assault on coal.

Beckley’s Exhibition Coal Mine is not just an ordinary tourist attraction.  If the House of Delegates has its way, it will become “the official coal mine” of West Virginia.  And if Delegate Linda Sumner, R-Raleigh, and her fellow lawmakers prevail, it will be known as America’s Mine — a national designation that she feels could enhance tourism.

“With the increase of tourism that I’m sure we’re going to see with the Boy Scouts coming in, we would like to get this,” Sumner said.  So far, only one other state — Tennessee — has a mine as it’s official state one and is jockeying for the national distinction, she pointed out.  “We’re trying to bring more visibility to what we have to offer in our area,” Sumner said.  When an entity bears a national designation, she said, tourists are more inclined to stop and look at it.

Delegates in Wednesday’s floor session approved HCR68, pointing out the state lacks an entity known as an “official” state mine, so Beckley’s was picked out for the honor.

The Indiana Coal Council has requested, and been granted, the use of the Friends of Coal logo for the issuance of a state license plate.

Wednesday, February 29^th, is “crossover day”, when all bills must be passed by their house of origin if they are to remain active and leading to full legislative approval.

SB 579, the “Special Reclamation Tax” bill was approved by the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday and will be on second reading in the Senate on Friday.   The House counterpart bill, HB 4519, was reported out of House Judiciary on Wednesday and is in House Finance as a second reference. 

SB 429, will expand the definition of Class A vehicles to include larger pickup type trucks registered at more than 8,000 pounds but no more than 10,000 pounds. This change would allow these vehicles to display special license plates, like the Friends of Coal plate,  and allow sheriffs to renew these registrations in their offices.  It has passed the Senate and is pending in the House Judiciary Committee.