Members of the West Virginia Coal Association re-elected MEPCO’s Jim Laurita as chairman of the board of directors at the Association’s annual meeting in White Sulphur Springs last week.

In comments to the organization, Laurita said “stiff challenges remain ahead for the industry, both in West Virginia and the nation”, but he remains confident that coal will continue to play the central role in meeting our nation’s energy needs.

Request for Information and Limited Reopening of the Record

On August 8, 2013, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) published two notices in the Federal Register on refuge alternatives in underground coal mines:

·       A Request for Information (RFI) to request data, comment, and information on issues and options relevant to miners’ escape and refuge; and

·       A Limited Reopening of the Record to request public comment on the appropriate frequency for motor task (hands-on), decision-making, and expectations training for miners on refuge alternatives.

Responses to these requests will help improve the overall strategy for miners’ survival in an underground coal mine emergency.

These notices are available for viewing at the Federal Register Public Inspection Desk: http://www.federalregister.gov/inspection.aspx.  Comments are due by October 7th, 2013.

 

West Virginia’s political leadership offered their support for the mining industry during the West Virginia Coal Association’s summer meeting last week.  Speaking to members of the Association, Congressman Nick Joe Rahall (D-3rd District), Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-2nd District) and Congressman David McKinley (R-1st District) offered their outlook for working with new EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and the many other issues enveloping the industry. They pledged to continue their efforts to defend the industry in Washington, DC.

A meeting of the Association’s  Communications Group will be held at 9 a.m. on Friday, August 23^rd in Room 206 of the Second Floor Conference Center at the Charleston Civic Center.  Please plan to attend.  All member companies are encouraged to become involved and have a presence with this new dynamic effort of the Association. Please let Sandi know if you or others from within your organization plan to attend the August 23rd meeting.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of WVCA’s Mine Safety Committee is planned for Thursday, August 22^ND at the Charleston Civic Center.  The meeting will begin at 9 am in Room 206 and is intended to provide an up-to-date review and discussion of current mine safety issues pending on the state and federal level.