Petitions for Modification

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 32 (Thursday, February 18, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 8140]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-3908]


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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. Alex Energy Company

[Docket No. M-98-116-C]

    Alex Energy Company, P.O. Box 150, Leivasy, West Virginia 26676 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700 (oil and 
gas wells) to its Flying Eagle Mine (I.D. No. 46-08576) located in 
Nicholas County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to mine through 
gas wells using the specific procedures outlined in this petition. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory 
standard.

2. Independence Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-98-117-C]

    Independence Coal Company, Inc., HC 78, Box 1800, Madison, West 
Virginia 25130 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.1002 (location of trolley wires, trolley feeder wires, high-voltage 
cables and transformers) to its Allegiance Mine (I.D. No. 46-08735) 
located in Boone County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use 
2,400 volt cables to power its new model continuous mining machines 
using specific procedures outlined in this petition. The petitioner 
asserts that the proposed alternative method would not result in a 
diminution of safety to the miners.

3. Parcoal, Inc.

[Docket No. M-98-118-C]

    Parcoal, Inc., P.O. Box 218, Isom, Kentucky 41824 has filed a 
petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364(a) (weekly 
examination) to its Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 15-17963) located in Perry 
County, Kentucky. Due to hazardous roof conditions in certain areas of 
the return air course, the affected area is unsafe to travel. The 
petitioner proposes to establish check points at two locations outside 
the unsafe area to check the air quantity and quality on a daily basis 
and record the results as a part of the pre-shift inspection. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory 
standard.

Request for Comments

    Persons interested in these petitions are encouraged to submit 
comments via e-mail to `` comments@msha.gov'', 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 22, 
1999. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that 
address.

    Dated: February 5, 1999.
Carol J. Jones,
Acting Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 99-3908 Filed 2-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P