On May 27 (today), MSHA will publish a notice in the Federal Register extending the comment period on the proposed rule addressing Lowering Miners’ Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust, Including Continuous Personal Dust Monitors.  The comment period will be extended from May 31, 2011 until June 20, 2011.  the notice was available for viewing on May 25 at the Office of the Federal Register, Public Inspection Desk:  http://www.federalregister.gov/inspection.aspx

A discussion of the origins of the Friends of Coal and the new state-issued license plate were the topics of the latest episode of The Coal Seam filmed this week at the studios of the Library Television Network in Charleston. The show, seen on Suddenlink Channel 17, as well as cable channels and other library network affiliates, featured special guests Bill Raney, president of the West Virginia Coal Association, who discussed the development of the Friends of Coal organization, as well as West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Joe Miller and Thom Stevens, representative of the 3M Corporation that developed the plate using new technologies.

House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Mica (R-FL) and Ranking Member Rahall (D-WV) have indicated that they will introduce legislation titled, “The Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act,” at some point today or prior to the holiday weekend.  As drafted, the legislation seeks to address permitting delays, clarify EPA’s authority under the Clean Water Act (CWA), and preserve the authority of states to make determinations relating to their water quality standards. The proposed legislation does the following:

 

• Maintains protection of public health and the environment by requiring a cooperative effort between state and federal governments;

The Friends of Coal will run a special Memorial Day radio ad on the West Virginia Radio Network and MetroNews.

 

NO GREATER LOVE

 

“Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

 

There are 10,000 names written on a wall in Charleston….

 

10,000 fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, friends …10,000 West Virginians who have given the ultimate sacrifice to keep our nation free.

 

There are 10,000 names written on a wall in Charleston ….10,000 heroes. …

 

This weekend, take a few moments and visit the Veterans Memorial on the Capitol Grounds in Charleston, or pay a visit to those heroes who rest in quiet spots, in gardens of stone or in our memory.  Honor their legacy as we strive to carry it on.

 

Take a moment and let your children know how important those 10,000 names are to their freedom and their future…

A message from The Friends of Coal.”

 

UNDERGROUND

Tunnel Ridge, LLC / Tunnel Ridge Mine

XMV, Inc. / XMV No. 37 Mine                          

Brooks Run Mining Company, LLC / Wyoming No. 1

River Edge Mining, Inc. / Rivers Edge Mine

Brooks Run Mining Company / Cucumber Mine

Marfork Coal Company / Allen Powellton Mine

Wolf Run Mining Co. / Imperial Mine                          

Pinnacle Mining Co. / Pinnacle Mine                          

Brooks Run Mining Co. / Popular Ridge Deep No. 1

Consolidation Coal Company / Shoemaker Mine

Mingo Logan Coal Co. / Mountaineer II Mine

Consolidation Coal Company / Blacksville No. 2

Mettiki Coal, LLC / Mettiki E Mine

 

SURFACE

Extra Energy, Inc. / Eckman No. 2 Strip

Consol of Kentucky / Peg Fork Surface Mine

Frasure Creek Mining / F5 Surface Mine

Simmons Fork Mining, Inc. / Ewing Fork No. One Surface

Phoenix Coal Mac Mining, Inc. / Holden Number 22 Surface

Alex Energy dba Edwight Mining / Edwight Surface Mine

Fola coal Company / Surface Mine No. 1

ICG Eastern, LLC / Birch River Mine

 

PREPARATION PLANT

Emerald Processing, LLC / South Hollow Plant

Fola Coal Company / Peach Orchard Preparation Plant

ICG Eastern, LLC / Birch River Plant

Litwar Processing Company, LLC / Litwar Preparation Plant

Mammoth Coal Company / Mammoth Processing Plant

Matewan Tunnel / Outside Crew

Rockspring Development, Inc. / Camp Creek Plant

Wolf Run Mining / Sentinel Preparation Plant

 

QUARRY

J. F. Allen Company / Aggregates Mine

 

CONTRACTOR

Keyrock Energy, Inc. / EAC Contract Services – Reclamation Crew

 

2010 WV STATE COUNCIL – JOSEPH A. HOLMES SAFETY AWARDS

Double H. Mining Co., Inc. / Plum Mine

Sterling Mining Corp. / Shean Hill Mine

Tunnel Ridge, LLC / Tunnel Ridge Mine

Dana Mining Co. / Prime No. 1 Mine

Kimble Clay & Limestone – Kimble #1

Oxford Mining Co., LLC / Guernsey Mine

Harrison Resources, LLC / Sexton 2 Pit

Ohio American Energy, Inc. / Star Ridge Prep. Plant

Consolidation Coal Company / Central Repair Shop

Wolf Run Mining Company / Sentinel Preparation Plant

Resurrection Coal Company, Inc. / Mine No. 2

Rock N Roll Coal Company, Inc. / Mine No. 7

C & A Coal Company / Mountain Fork No. 2

Newtown Energy, Inc. / Coalburg No. 1 Mine

Little Eagle Coal Company, LLC / Rocklick Coalburg Deep Mine

White Buck Coal Company / Grassy Creek No. 1

Onyx Energy, LLC / Mine No. 1

Chafin Branch Coal Co., LLC / Lower Pete Branch Alma Mine

Phoenix Coal-Mac Mining, Inc. / Coal-Mac Inc. Holden #22 Surface

Raven Crest Contracting, LLC / Bull Creek Prep & Refuse Disp. Facility

West Virginia Mine Power, Inc. / Mountaineer No. 1 Preparation Plant

Kanawha River Terminals, LLC / Ceredo Dock

 

COAL SAFETY LEADER NOMINATIONS

Jimmy A. Brock, CONSOL Energy, North Central WV Holmes Safety Council

Toby Edwards, Edwight Mining, New River Valley/Winding Gulf Council

Fredrick Collins, Jr., Patriot Coal Company, Coal River Council

 

The Association congratulates all of the above on a job well done.