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.

CHARLESTON -- The West Virginia Friends of Coal license plate has now passed its final approval – a “reflectivity” test due to its one-of-a-kind black background.  According to the West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles the plate will be released to the public in May.  

If you would like to order a Friends of Coal license plate you can visit the Friends of Coal webpage at http://www.friendsofcoal.org or click here for a printable application.

CHARLESTON (The Logan Banner - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, joined by mine disaster victims' families, coal mining experts, miners, and state leaders together unveiled a one-of-a-kind mine rescue truck Tuesday at the State Capitol.

The Command Unit Rapid Response Task Force 1 and Mine Rescue Truck, was created as a direct result of last year's Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster, a press release issued by the governor's office said. "I am still saddened by the loss of 29 lives nearly one year ago," Gov. Tomblin said in the press release. "The families of the UBB tragedy have said 'Don't let this happen again'. This mine rescue truck is our response to help fulfill that request. We have made sure that it is fully equipped to provide mine rescue teams with the tools needed to greatly improve a mine rescue operation if and when called upon in the future." Read more …