West Virginia is mulling a new state agency dedicated to policing dangerous coal mines in response to an explosion that killed 29 men at Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch mine.
The state Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety plans to recommend legislation creating the agency for the next special legislative session. Gov. Joe Manchin asked the board, which has rulemaking authority, to recommend ways to improve safety quickly after the April 5 explosion.
Coal industry lobbyist and board member Chris Hamilton says the legislation would create a separate agency from the Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training. The new agency would select mines that need extra attention and work with them to eliminate problems. It also would have the power to enforce state mining regulations.
Topics Legislation Virginia Law Enforcement
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Travelers Reports Solid Underwriting, Record Investment Income for Q3 
Cyber Rates Are Down, Risks Are Up but Small Businesses Slow to Adopt 
AI’s Water Strain Includes Surging Demand From Electricity Use 
KCC Says Isaias Insured Losses to Be $3 Billion; AM Best Calls Storm an Earnings Event From This Issue
