80 FR 24286 - Affirmative Decisions on Petitions for Modification Granted in Whole or in Part

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 83 (April 30, 2015)

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 notifies the public that MSHA has investigated and issued a final decision on certain mine operator petitions to modify a safety standard.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 83 (Thursday, April 30, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24286-24287]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10092]


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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 
notifies the public that MSHA 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, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances at 202-693-9475 (Voice), 
[email protected] (Email), or 202-693-9441 (Telefax), or Barbara 
Barron at 202-693-9447 (Voice), [email protected] (Email), 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

[[Page 24287]]

less protection for the miners affected than that provided by the 
standard; or (2) that the application of the standard 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-2014-026-C.
    FR Notice: 79 FR 48256 (8/15/2014).
    Petitioner: Covol Fuels No. 3, LLC, 10156 US Hwy 25 E, Pineville, 
Kentucky 40977.
    Mine: Crockett, MSHA I.D. No. 15-12682, located in Bell County, 
Kentucky; Coarse Coal Refuse Fill #5, Site I.D. No. KY07-12682-05.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 77.214(a) (Refuse piles; general).

     Docket Number: M-2014-031-C.
    FR Notice: 79 FR 64623 (10/30/2014).
    Petitioner: Sunrise Coal LLC, 12661 Agricare Road, Oaktown, Indiana 
47561.
    Mine: Oaktown Fuels Mine No. 1, MSHA I.D. No. 12-02394, located in 
Knox County, Indiana.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1700 (Oil and gas wells).

     Docket Number: M-2014-032-C.
    FR Notice: 79 FR 64623 (10/30/2014).
    Petitioner: Sunrise Coal LLC, 12661 Agricare Road, Oaktown, Indiana 
47561.
    Mine: Oaktown Fuels Mine No. 2, MSHA I.D. No. 12-02418, located in 
Knox County, Indiana.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1700 (Oil and gas wells).

    Dated: April 27, 2015.
Sheila McConnell,
Acting Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 2015-10092 Filed 4-29-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-43-P