[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 181 (Monday, September 20, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57295-57296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23323]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Affirmative Decisions on Petitions for Modification Granted in 
Whole or in Part

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 
1977 and 30 CFR Part 44 govern the application, processing, and 
disposition of petitions for modification. This Federal Register Notice 
(FR Notice) notifies the public that it has investigated and issued a 
final decision on certain mine operator petitions to modify a safety 
standard.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the final decisions are posted on MSHA's Web Site 
at http://www.msha.gov/indexes/petition.htm. The public may inspect the 
petitions and final decisions during normal business hours in MSHA's 
Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, 
Room 2349, Arlington, Virginia 22209. All visitors must first stop at 
the receptionist desk on the 21st Floor to sign-in.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roslyn B. Fontaine, Acting Deputy 
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances at 202-693-
9475 (Voice), [email protected] (E-mail), or 202-693-9441 
(Telefax), or Barbara Barron at 202-693-9447 (Voice), 
[email protected] (E-mail), or 202-693-9441 (Telefax). [These are 
not toll-free numbers].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    Under section 101 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 
1977, a mine operator may petition and the Secretary of Labor 
(Secretary) may modify the application of a mandatory safety standard 
to that mine if the Secretary determines that: (1) An alternative 
method exists that will guarantee no less protection for the miners 
affected than that provided by the standard; or (2) that the 
application of the standard

[[Page 57296]]

will result in a diminution of safety to the affected miners.
    MSHA bases the final decision on the petitioner's statements, any 
comments and information submitted by interested persons, and a field 
investigation of the conditions at the mine. In some instances, MSHA 
may approve a petition for modification on the condition that the mine 
operator complies with other requirements noted in the decision.

II. Granted Petitions for Modification

    On the basis of the findings of MSHA's investigation, and as 
designee of the Secretary, MSHA has granted or partially granted the 
following petitions for modification:
     Docket Number: M-2009-062-C.
    FR Notice: 75 FR 3253 (January 20, 2010).
    Petitioner: American Energy Corporation, 43521 Mayhugh Hill Road, 
Beallsville, Ohio 43716.
    Mine: Century Mine, MHSA I.D. No. 33-01070, located in Monroe 
County, Ohio.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.503 (Permissible electric face 
equipment; maintenance) and 30 CFR 18.35 (Portable trailing cables and 
cords).

     Docket Number: M-2010-003-C.
    FR Notice: 75 FR 12799 (March 17, 2010).
    Petitioner: Brooks Run Mining Company, LLC, 208 Business Street, 
Beckley, West Virginia 25801.
    Mine: Wyoming No. 2 Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-06263, located in 
Wyoming County, West Virginia.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1101-1(b) (Deluge-type water spray 
systems).

     Docket Number: M-2010-006-C.
    FR Notice: 75 FR 12794 (March 17, 2010).
    Petitioner: Armstrong Coal Company, Inc., 407 Brown Road, 
Madisonville, Kentucky 42341.
    Mine: Parkway Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 15-19358, located in Muhlenberg 
County, Kentucky.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1101-1(b) (Deluge-type water spray 
systems).

     Docket Number: M-2010-011-C.
    FR Notice: 75 FR 16187 (March 31, 2010).
    Petitioner: Alex Energy, Inc., P.O. Box 190, Leivasy, West Virginia 
26676.
    Mine: Jerry Fork Eagle Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-08787, located in 
Nicholas County, West Virginia.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1101-1(b) (Deluge-type water spray 
systems).
     Docket Number: M-2010-012-C.
    FR Notice: 75 FR 16187 (March 31, 2010).
    Petitioner: White Buck Coal Company, P.O. Box 180, Leivasy, West 
Virginia 26676.
    Mine: Grassy Creek No. 1 Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-08365 and Hominy 
Creek Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-09266 located in Nicholas County, West 
Virginia; and Pocahontas Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-09154, located in 
Greenbrier County, West Virginia.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1101-1(b) (Deluge-type water spray 
systems).

     Docket Number: M-2010-017-C.
    FR Notice: 75 FR 22847 (April 30, 2010).
    Petitioner: Brooks Run Mining Company, LLC, 208 Business Street, 
Beckley, West Virginia 25801.
    Mine: Horse Creek No. 1 Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-09348, located in 
McDowell County, West Virginia.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1101-1(b) (Deluge-type water spray 
systems).

     Docket Number: M-2009-004-M.
    FR Notice: 74 FR 34371 (July 15, 2009).
    Petitioner: Arch Materials, LLC, 4438 State route 276, Batavia, 
Ohio 45103.
    Mine: Batavia Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 33-04578, Clermont County, Ohio.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 49.2(c) (Availability of mine rescue 
teams).

    Dated: September 14, 2010.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances.
[FR Doc. 2010-23323 Filed 9-17-10; 8:45 am]
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