[Federal Register: August 28, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 166)]
[Notices]
[Page 50947-50948]
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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
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: zzMSHA-Comments@dol.gov. 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
