The bill, which passed the Senate
Judiciary Committee and was sent to the Senate floor, calls for a series of
changes in state mine safety and environmental laws to bring them in line with
federal standards. Coal industry officials say the modifications are needed
because in many cases the state rules are more stringent than the federal government
requires.
“These are things that will reduce the
cost that are unique to West Virginia–not done anyplace else–and do not reduce
the level of health or safety or environmental protection,” West Virginia Coal
Association President Bill Raney told the committee.
The United Mine Workers Union has
raised questions about some of the proposed safety changes, including the
industry’s proposal for one standard for substance abuse testing.
Positive tests for UMWA miners are
handled through union arbitration, while non-union miners have their cases sent
to the state Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training.
