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 in time for a special legislative session planned for next week. 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
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Insurance Companies Join Letter to Push TPLF Disclosure in Federal Courts 
Viewpoint: After 3 Years of Retreat, Insurance Capacity Is Returning to California 
Appeals Court Throws a Wrench into Part of Georgia’s 2025 Tort-Reform Law 
Amazon Seen as Shielded From Liability for Miami Cargo Plane Crash 
