An Ohio-based coal operator is suing the Obama administration,
claiming that new federal regulations to cut the amount of coal dust in coal
mines are overly burdensome and costly to industry.
The lawsuit against the U.S. Labor
Department was filed Thursday in the Sixth U.S. Court of Appeals in Cincinnati
The St. Clairsville, Ohio-based company
argues the department failed to adequately take into account the input of
technical experts and the coal industry.
The Labor Department did not have
immediate comment.
The rule, which was announced last
month, is aimed at reducing black lung disease.
It represents the broadest changes to
coal dust regulations since the 1969 Coal Mine Health and Safety Act.
According to the company website, Murray is the largest privately owned coal company in America
The company has eight underground and
surface mining operations, plus 40 subsidiary and support companies.
