[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 39 (Monday, February 28, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10563-10564]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-4545]



[[Page 10563]]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Petitions for Modification

    The following parties have filed petitions to modify the 
application of mandatory safety standards under section 101(c) of the 
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

1. Centralia Mining Company

[Docket No. M-2000-001-C]

    Centralia Mining Company, 1015 Big Hanaford Road, Centralia, 
Washington 98531 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 
CFR 77.1605(k) (loading and haulage equipment; installations) to its 
Centralia Coal Mine (I.D. No. 45-00416) located in Lewis County, 
Washington. The petitioner proposes the following alterative method as 
it relates to access to dike/impoundments. The petitioner proposes to: 
(i) Install locked gates at entrance points to dike/impoundment access; 
(ii) post warning signs that the dike impoundment is not bermed; (iii) 
install at least three delineators along the perimeter of the elevated 
roadway to indicate that both directions of travel of the reflective 
surfaces along each elevated shoulder is visible to the driver and 
spaced at intervals to indicate the edges and attitude of the roadway; 
and (iv) post a speed limit of 10 mph for elevated unbermed portions of 
the roadway. In the event surface traction is impaired by weather 
conditions, corrective measures will be taken for improvement. The 
petitioner asserts that application of the standard will result in 
diminution of safety to the miners. In addition, the petitioner asserts 
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same 
measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

2. Sidney Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-002-C]

    Sidney Coal Company, Inc., 115 North Big Creek Road, Sidney, 
Kentucky 41564 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.1902(d)(1) (underground diesel fuel storage-general requirements) to 
its Mine #1 (I.D. No. 15-07082) located in Pike County, Kentucky. The 
petitioner requests a modification of the standard to permit its 
underground fuel storage facility to remain at the present location and 
for safety concerns, make the following changes and adjustments so 
that: (i) The fuel tank is offset 35 feet from any track or 
transportation; (ii) the storage facility is out of direct line of 
flatcars, mantrips and other equipment that is moving up or down the 
slope; (iii) the facility is ventilated directly into the return air 
course. In addition, the petitioner would equip the facility with a 
fire suppression system and other safety features, fireproof the 
facility, inspect the facility on a daily basis, and add a carbon 
monoxide sensor. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the 
mandatory standard.

3. Big Ridge, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-003-C]

    Big Ridge, Inc., 29 West Raymond Street, Harrisburg, Illinois 62946 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700 (oil 
and gas wells) to its Big Ridge Mine (I.D. No. 11-02997) located in 
Saline County, Illinois. The petitioner proposes techniques and 
procedures to plug and mine in close proximity to, or through oil and 
gas wells and to notify the District Manager or designee: prior to 
mining within 300 feet of the well; in sufficient time to have an 
opportunity to have representatives present, and; when a specific plan 
is developed for mining through each well. The petitioner proposes The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

4. Aracoma Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2000-004-C]

    Aracoma Coal Company, P.O. Box 484, Omar, West Virginia 25670 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002 (location 
of trolley wires, trolley feeder wires, high-voltage cables and 
transformers) to its Aracoma Alma Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 46-08801) 
located in Logan County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use 
a 2,400 volt continuous mining system in by the last open crosscut and 
within 150 feet from pillar workings using the specific terms and 
conditions listed in this petition for modification. The petitioner 
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the 
same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

5. Independence Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-005-C]

    Independence Coal Company, Inc., HC 78 Box 1800, Madison, West 
Virginia 25130 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.350 (air courses and belt haulage entries) to its Cedar Grove Mine 
No. 1 (I.D. No. 46-08603) located in Raleigh County, West Virginia. The 
petitioner proposes to use air coursed through the conveyor belt entry 
to ventilate active working places. The petitioner proposes to install 
a low-level carbon monoxide monitoring system as an early warning fire 
detection system in all belt entries used to course intake air to a 
working place. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the 
mandatory standard.

6. Marrowbone Development Company

[Docket No. M-2000-006-C]

    Marrowbone Development Company, P.O. Box 119, Naugatuck, West 
Virginia 25685, has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 
CFR 75.1002 (location of trolley wires, trolley feeder wires, high-
voltage cables and transformers) to its Eastern Mingo Coal Company 
Drautz Mine (I.D. No. 46-08815) located in Mongo County, West Virginia. 
The petitioner proposes to use 2,400-volt AC continuous mining 
equipment at its Drautz Mine. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the mandatory standard.

7. Sidney Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-007-C]

    Sidney Coal Company, Inc., 115 North Big Creek Road, P.O. Box 299, 
Sidney, Kentucky 41564 has filed a petition to modify the application 
of 30 CFR 75.507 (power connection points) for its following 
subsidiaries: Clean Energy Mining Company, Mine #1 (I.D. No. 15-10753); 
Freedom Energy Mining Company, Mine #1 (I.D. No. 15-07082); Pegs Branch 
Energy Mining Company, Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 15-17541); Rockhouse Energy 
Mining Company, Rockhouse Mine #1 (I.D. No. 15-17651); and Solid Energy 
Mining Company, Mine #1 (I.D. No. 15-07475) all located in Pike County, 
Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use electronic total station 
surveying instruments in or inby the last open crosscut or in the 
return airway, take gas checks at 20 minute intervals upwind of the 
location of the instrument and prior to turning the equipment on or 
off, change the batteries in or inby the last open crosscut or in 
return air, train all miners before they enter the mine on how to use 
the equipment, and use the equipment only in areas where methane 
concentration levels are below one percent. The petitioner asserts that 
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure 
of protection as the mandatory standard.

8. Island Creek Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2000-008-C]

    Island Creek Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road,

[[Page 10564]]

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the 
application of 30 CFR 75.1100-2(b) (quantity and location of 
firefighting equipment) to its VP-8 Mine (I.D. No. 44-03795) located in 
Buchanan County, Virginia. The petitioner proposes to install a 
waterline in an entry adjacent to the conveyor belt entry on retreating 
longwall equipped with fire hydrants spaced no more than 310 feet 
apart. The petitioner is currently operating under a granted petition 
for modification (M-94-68-C) allowing for hydrants spaced no more than 
270 feet apart in these entries. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the mandatory standard.

9. Performance Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2000-009-C]

    Performance Coal Company, P.O. Box 69, Naoma, West Virginia 25140 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air 
courses and belt haulage entries) to its Upper Big Branch Mine-South 
(I.D. No. 46-08436) located in Raleigh County, West Virginia. The 
petitioner proposes to use air coursed through the belt haulage entry 
to ventilate active working places. The petitioner proposes to install 
a carbon monoxide monitoring system as an early warning fire detection 
system in all belt entries used to carry intake air to a working place. 
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would 
provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory 
standard.

10. Aracoma Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2000-010-C]

    Aracoma Coal Company, P.O. Box 484, Omar, West Virginia 25670 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air 
courses and belt haulage entries) to its Aracoma Alma Mine No. 1 (I.D. 
No. 46-08801) located in Logan County, West Virginia. The petitioner 
proposes to use air coursed through the belt haulage entry to ventilate 
active working places. The petitioner proposes to install a carbon 
monoxide monitoring system as an early warning fire detection system in 
all belt entries used to carry intake air to a working place. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

11. Alex Energy Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2000-011-C]

    Alex Energy Coal Company, P.O. Box 857, Summersville, West Virginia 
26651 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 
(air courses and belt haulage entries) to its Jerry Fork Eagle Mine 
(I.D. No. 46-08787) located in Nicholas County, West Virginia. The 
petitioner proposes to use air coursed through the belt haulage entry 
to ventilate active working places. The petitioner proposes to install 
a carbon monoxide monitoring system as an early warning fire detection 
system in all belt entries used to carry intake air to a working place. 
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would 
provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory 
standard.

Request for Comments

    Persons interested in these petitions are encouraged to submit 
comments via e-mail to ``[email protected],'' or on a computer disk 
along with an original hard copy to the Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, Mine Safety and Health Administration, 4015 
Wilson Boulevard, Room 627, Arlington, Virginia 22203. All comments 
must be postmarked or received in that office on or before March 29, 
2000. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that 
address.

    Dated: February 14, 2000.
Carol J. Jones,
Acting Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 00-4545 Filed 2-25-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P