Mines and Mining

Passed

P HB2573

Coal mining safety; civil penalty. Amends the Virginia Coal Mine Safety Act and the Virginia Coal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act to increase mine safety and address safety concerns, including notification of violations, qualifications of inspectors, new map designations, roof control plans, requirements for storage of explosives, clearance on haulage roads, operation of equipment, slope and shaft conditions, requirements for protective clothing, location of fire-fighting equipment, and increased safety examinations. The bill consolidates reporting requirements for impoundments or dams and requires that emergency evacuation plans be kept up to date. This bill also (i) requires ground control plans to ensure the safety of persons in any area that may be affected by blasting or falling, sliding, or other uncontrolled movement of material and (ii) increases the maximum civil penalty from $5,000 to $70,000 for violations that result in an injury or fatality to any person. This bill contains an emergency clause.
Patron - Stump

Failed

F HB2394

Coal mine blasting practices. Prohibits blasting for underground coal mine air shafts within 500 feet of a residence and prohibits all coal mine blasting within 1,500 feet of a residence at night.
Patron - Phillips

F HB2507

Coal mining safety. Amends the Virginia Coal Mine Safety Act and the Virginia Coal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act to address safety concerns, including notification of violations, qualifications of inspectors, new map designations, roof control plans, requirements for storage of explosives, clearance on haulage roads, operation of equipment, slope and shaft conditions, requirements for protective clothing, location of fire-fighting equipment, and increased safety examinations. The bill consolidates reporting requirements for impoundments or dams, and requires that emergency evacuation plans be kept up to date. This bill also prohibits mining from occurring in an area where the topography and geology may result in danger to any residence, or at night or in locations where a threat of danger to lives or property exists. This bill requires prior approval of a detailed plan to protect individuals and property outside of the permitted area from potential harm caused by mining activities, and construction of protective barriers along the perimeter of mining areas where harmful materials may become loose as a result of mining activities and pose a threat to lives and property outside of the permitted area.
Patron - Phillips

F SB1091

Coal mining safety; civil penalty. Amends the Virginia Coal Mine Safety Act and the Virginia Coal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act to increase mine safety and address safety concerns, including notification of violations, qualifications of inspectors, new map designations, roof control plans, requirements for storage of explosives, clearance on haulage roads, operation of equipment, slope and shaft conditions, requirements for protective clothing, location of fire-fighting equipment, and increased safety examinations. The bill consolidates reporting requirements for impoundments or dams and requires that emergency evacuation plans be kept up-to-date. This bill also (i) requires ground control plans to ensure the safety of persons in any area that may be affected by blasting or falling, sliding, or other uncontrolled movement of material and (ii) increases the maximum civil penalty from $5,000 to $70,000 for violations that result in an injury or fatality to any person. This bill contains an emergency clause.
Patron - Puckett

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