CHARLESTON –  The West Virginia Coal Association issues the following statement regarding a decision in the U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia.

“We are disappointed with the decision by a three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia to reverse and remand a decision by Judge Amy Berman-Jackson, also of the D.C. Circuit, which overturned a veto of the Spruce mine permit by the U.S. EPA.  The three-judge panel remanded the case back to Jackson to consider the remaining parts of the case that related to the specific facts surrounding the Spruce Mine permit.”

On Tuesday, March 27, 2013, the Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety voted to “propose” administrative rules to implement the new standards for machine-mounted, methane gas monitors in underground coal mines.

The proposed rule purports to implement WV Code §22A-2-43 (H) & (I) “Actions to detect and respond to excess methane” and the Board’s charge to promulgate rules establishing calibration procedures, defining the term “sustained period” for purposes of implementing this section, and establishing a compliance schedule.

The Board could not agree on a definition of “sustained period” and opted to solicit comments on this critical term from the mining community.  In its proposed rule, the Board established a three (3) year period for new machines to be refitted with new methane monitors and a five (5) year period for existing machines.

A thirty day comment period extending through the month of April was established to receive public comment on the Board’s proposal. The Board’s original deadline for promulgating this rule was October 4, 2012

In a press release issued on March 28, Jackson Kelly announced the expansion of its legal services capabilities to support the oil and gas, mining and natural resources industries in its Denver, Colorado office with the addition of Robert D. Comer, Michael T. Jewell, Susan V. Anderson and Steve M. Nagy.

Laura E. Beverage, the Managing Member of JK’s Denver office, said, “We are pleased to welcome these new attorneys in the Denver office.  In addition to our nationally-recognized Health and Safety practice, Jackson Kelly is very well equipped to provide our clients in the West with services in natural resource permitting, development and compliance.”

Beckley Business After Hours will be hosting a family night at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine & Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia on Thursday, April 11 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.  Special discounts will be available to those registered.  Text your RSVP by sending your name and attendance number to 304.573.7505 or call BRCCC at304.252.7328 or 877.987.3847.

The 20^th CEDAR Regional Coal Fair will be held on April 9^th – 12^th at the University of Pikeville Gym.  Tuesday, April 9 from 5 to 8 p.m. will be the Open House/Tour where you can view an expected 475 student projects about coal.