Recently there has been a lot of discussion about the “alternative and renewable portfolio” bill that was passed by the West Virginia Legislature in 2009.  Many people refer to it as HB 103.  HB 103 was initially passed in the June, 2009 Special Legislative Session, but it was subsequently amended and passed as HB 408 in the November, 2009 Special Legislative Session.  HB 408 is actually the bill that establishes the standards.

The Boy Scouts of America has awarded more than $20 million in contracts -- mostly to West Virginia companies -- for the construction of a National Jamboree Center in Fayette County, a scout executive said last week.

Bob Mazzuca, the Boy Scouts' top leader, said contractors have cleared timber and graded roads on the 10,600-acre property atop Garden Ground Mountain near Glen Jean. The site will be the future home of the Jamboree Center, a high-adventure base, summer camp, museum and leadership center.

CHARLESTON – Today’s decision by Region III of U.S. EPA  to reaffirm its withdrawal of the permit for the Spruce #1 surface mine continues this administration’s war against Appalachian coal. It reveals an agency willing to put a political agenda ahead of people.

“With this decision the EPA continues down the arrogant and selfish path that puts a radical political agenda ahead of people and the jobs our nation so desperately needs at this time,” said West Virginia Coal President Bill Raney. “As we have said before, this decision establishes a very dangerous precedent in that it reneges on an already approved permit, something that has never been done previously. It brings into question the reliability of the entire permitting process and shows an arrogant disregard for the impacts this will have on the state’s economy and its people.”

Poised on the platform, ready to zip along the mountain line, guests of the new Adventures on the Gorge (www.adventurewestvirginia.com) Gravity zipline are set to take in a panoramic view of the New River Gorge.  The open-air zipline offers a mile-long tour, zigzagging across the ridgeline and crossing a scenic mountainscape.

We were informed yesterday afternoon by MSHA that the agency will publish a proposed rule on October 19 entitled "Lowering Miners’ Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust Including Continuous Personal Dust Monitors." A copy is currently available to view at http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2010-25249_PI.pdf and the Agencies press release which accompanies the rule may be viewed at http://www.msha.gov/Media/PRESS/2010/NR101014.pdf.

The proposed rule would lower the current 2 milligram dust standard to 1 milligram over a two-year period; mandates the use of PDMs; provides for the use of a single, full-shift sample to determine compliance; address extended work shifts and redefines normal production shifts.

MSHA has also announced a “stakeholders meeting” set for 10: a.m. on October 20th at its Arlington, VA Office and a limited call-in opportunity for WVCA to participate telephonically.  If you are interested in participating with us from our office on the 20th, please let us know by replying to this email or by call Sandi at 304-342-4153.