[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 166 (Monday, August 28, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50947-50948]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-14258]


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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 existing safety standards under section 101(c) of the 
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

1. Eastern Associated Coal, LLC

[Docket No. M-2006-016-C]

    Eastern Associated Coal, LLC, 1044 Miracle Run Road, Fairview, West 
Virginia 26570 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.500(d) (Permissible electric equipment) to its Federal No. 2 Mine 
(MSHA I.D. No. 46-01456) located in Monongalia County, West Virginia. 
The petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to 
permit the use of non-permissible battery-powered hand-held computers 
in or inby the last open crosscut, including in the return airways. The 
petitioner proposes to use the hand-held computers to allow supervisors 
and selected miners to collect and record data pertinent to safety 
observations during work processes. The petitioner has listed specific 
procedures in this petition that will be followed when the proposed 
alternative method is implemented. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

2. AMFIRE Mining Company, LLC

[Docket No. M-2006-017-C]

    AMFIRE Mining Company, LLC, One Energy Place, Latrobe, Pennsylvania 
15650 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1100-
2(e)(2) (Quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its 
Gillhouser Run Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 36-09033) located in Cambria County, 
Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a modification of the existing 
standard to permit an alternative method of compliance with the 
firefighting equipment required at temporary electrical installations. 
The petitioner proposes to use two (2) fire extinguishers or one fire 
extinguisher of twice the required capacity at all temporary electrical 
installations in lieu of using 240 pounds of rock dust. The petitioner 
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the 
same measure of protection as the existing standard.

3. Eastern Associated Coal, LLC

[Docket No. M-2006-018-C]

    Eastern Associated Coal, LLC, Three Gateway Center, 401 Liberty 
Avenue, Suite 1340, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222 has filed a petition 
to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700 (Oil and gas wells) to its 
Federal No. 2 Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 46-01456) located in Monongalia 
County, West Virginia. The petitioner requests a modification of the 
existing standard to permit oil and gas wells to be plugged and 
abandoned in order to mine through them or to reduce

[[Page 50948]]

the size of the barrier around them. The petitioner proposes to use the 
following procedures when plugging oil and gas wells: (1) Clean out and 
prepare oil and gas wells prior to plugging; (2) Plug oil and gas wells 
to the surface by setting a cement plug in the wellbore by pumping 
expanding cement slurry down the tubing to displace the gel and fill 
the borehole to the surface, and embed steel or other magnetic 
particles in the top of the cement to serve as a magnetic monument; (3) 
Plug oil and gas wells using the vent pipe method; and (4) Plug oil and 
gas wells for use as degasification boreholes by setting a cement plug 
and a degasification casing. The petitioner states that whenever the 
safety barrier diameter is reduced to a distance less than what the 
District Manager would approve pursuant to Section 75.1700, or proceeds 
with the intent to cut through a plugged well, additional cut-through 
procedures would apply. These procedures would include submitting a 
mining plan to the District Manager or designee for approval for each 
well to be intersected or where the barrier required by Section 75.1700 
will be reduced. The details of these procedures can be requested from 
MSHA's Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, Room 2350, 1100 
Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22209 via mail, or by phone, 
contact Barbara Barron at 202-693-9447. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

Request for Comments

    Persons interested in these petitions are encouraged to submit 
comments by any of the following methods: via E-mail: [email protected]. Include ``petitions for modification'' in the subject 
line of the email; Fax: (202) 693-9441. Include ``petitions for 
modification in the subject line of the fax; or Regular Mail/Hand 
Delivery/Courier: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 
2350, Arlington, Virginia 22209. If hand-delivered in person or by 
courier, please stop by the 21st floor first to check in with the 
receptionist before continuing on to the 23rd floor. All comments must 
be postmarked or received in that office on or before September 27, 
2006. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that 
address.

    Dated at Arlington, Virginia, this 21st day of August 2006.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Acting Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
 [FR Doc. E6-14258 Filed 8-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P