A SAMPLING OF YOUR RESPONSES:
These rules are a hardship on the citizens of West Virginia. Harsh rules along with harsh taxation helps prevent industries from establishing in west virginia.
C Thorn, Parkersburg
If the federal governments standards are lower than they must be considered sufficient to maintain safety.
C. Brown, Charleston, WV
I think that people out side of wv is causing the troublesome hard ship that the state is going thur. our leader here in the state need to take care of us, i'm out of work now because of all of this.
John B. Hatfield, omar
West Virginia mining fatalities were down last year why relax the laws so the number of miners killed will increase?
Charles, Drennen
Coal is what is keeping WV on the map. What are we going to do when they shut these mines down? Who is going to pay for our needs in general? The laws should be enforced but not at the cost of our coalmine workers and employees.
Ladonna Black, Hamlin
I feel that there has already been too much destruction to our state while mining coal.Why make it easier for greedy out-of-state businesses to rape our treasure?
Eric Domboski, Hillsboro
Without coal WV. Dont go support it or move im going to have to come March 17 im will be laid off due to no permits
Mike Browning, Logan WV
West Virgina coal needs to be competive with other states and countrys. We also need to keep our coal miners working, and be able to reopen idle mines and open new mines.
Daniel McKinney, Oak Hill
In reading your statement, it is evident who benfits from this pending law...The Operators..Less for the miners safety and well being,which means someone will have to profit from not needing to spend the money to meet standards that are best for our miners of West Virginia...again who benefits, the operator..it is never passed down to the miners..Operators from all over the county owe West Virgina taxes and have left our landscape scared with rusted equipment, abandoned..so please think of history and our future when addressing this issue
Vickie Tuitt, Charleston
Because of West Virginia law, many miners other employees in the coal field have lost their jobs. Many of the same people who argue about unemployment rates in this state argue about coal trucks being overweight or coal dust on their houses. COAL is West Virginia's economy. It is our way of survival. YES! The regulations should be relaxed or more West Virginians will have to leave the state. Bob Wise may want to consider offering some assistance like he promised he would do before his election before he ruins this state.
S. Elliott, Charleston
They don't obey the rules they have now
Kathy Miller,
I think the regulatios should be stiffer for safety and the enviroment look at there past track records. As for the coal truck issue the roads aren't made for the weight and they don't have any respect for the cars on the road turn a C.B. on channel 19 and tune in they will tell you i'm bigger and get the hell out of the way and so forth. If they don't like the regulations let them get into another profession and as for Masseys' commercials they just make me want to puke look at their track record it sucks like their over acting and whining commercials if they don't like it here let them move on elsewhere to another state WV has been raped more than enough by these money greedy coal whores. Beleive me i have lived here all my life i know how they beleive and act Greed
Eddie, Cabin Creek,WV
if anything the rules for coal operators should be toughened,because having worked underground both as an engineer and later a full time coal miner operating equipment coal operators will cut corners any way they possibly can,regardless of the safety of the employees!,that's why rules should be toughened,they already get prior warning as to when an inspector is supposed to be there,and most of the time they still get wrote up over not being within regs!,coal mining is a very good occupation to avoid,but the money is good! (go~figure)
Informant, Louisa
Coal is West Virginia's biggest asset, yet so many people are trying to obstruct honest people from making an honest living. Some of the reclamed land is the most beautiful sight around.
Will Turner, Montgomery, WV
The WV mining rules are causing economic disaster for the coal industry in the state. My company supports the states largest mining company's IT department. We have had layoffs and large salary cuts.
Mick Mullins, Charleston
Coal is what keeps WV going. Do they actually believe that tourism can finance our state? That is the only other business going on in WV. We need to keep our mines going for all the families that depend on coal to pay their bill, me being one of them. Everytime we flip the light switch we ought to think of the thousands of men who mine the coal who makes our lights burn!! I am a coal miners daughter and a coal miners wife!
Donna Wolfe, Mossy
The one thing that really upsets me is that they are only wanting to target the coal trucks, what about all of the other trucks that cross the roads of wv. What about loggers power trucks and all big business vehicles, coal trucks are not the only ones that have accidents, look at the peanut truck.
Jill Housman, Cannelton, WV 25036
Two comments: Number 1... state agencies apparently have not looked past tomorrow. They do not realize that when coal mining leaves the area due to their stringent laws, everyone starves. Coal mining was, is and will remain to be a foremost money maker for the state, especailly southern WV. The overstringent regulations will be the death of southern WV. Number 2... if coal mining is outlawed, where does the power come from? Coal currently comprises about 55% of the nation's power. The ONLY other viable alternative is nuclear power. That's a brilliant stategy. You can't disturb nature for a few years, but you are welcome to produce radioactive waste that will last for thousands of years. These are the people protecting our best interests. I think not.
Eric J. Bias, St. Albans
More than this, the increase in coal truck weight from 80,000 pounds to 120,000 pounds will increase the braking time for a truck to stop from 60 mph from from 10 seconds to 15 seconds - an increase of 5 seconds or a whopping increase of 50%. For heavy trucks, the braking time always increases as a direct function of the weight. Increase the weight by 50% and the stopping time increases by 50%. To do the calculation yourself. Logic: The stopping horsepower the brakes can generate at 80,000 pounds weight is the maximum HP they can generate. (note: The stopping HP the brakes make does not change as a function of weight when starting at heavy truck weights.) The increase to 120,000 pounds can only be stopped by the same HP the brakes could generate at 80,000 pounds. Formula is HP = [1/2 * (W/32.2) * (V*1.467)^2] / [t*550] HP= horsepower W = weight in pounds t = stopping time V = velocity in mph
T Scribner, Charleston
West Virginia's mining regulations are tougher than federal standards. The West Virginia Coal Association wants lawmakers to pass legislation to require state mining regulations be no more stringent than federal laws that's just a way to easy up on operators the jobs will still not be there.The only way you get jobs is incress the demand for coal. not let up on the laws
littlenuke, deepwater
Absolutely no! Also, no to increasing the weight limits for heavy trucks. Hey guys, there is a big story in the overweight heavy truck issue. I will send you some testimony from US Congress on the heavy truck issue. How would you like to pay forty percent of what you are required to haul coal in WV while the highways are being destroyed at billions of dollars. One overweight Heavy truck semi with 5 axles (most common in WV)causes wear and tear equal to 29,000 automobiles. 35,000 highway patrol (state police) officers say no to bigger trucks. What is your fax number and I will send you complete testimony of specialist who appeared before congress. One of the big issues to be resolved is poor enforcement of heavy trucks and overweight issues. It seems the heavy trucks are responsible for damaging over 300 billion dollars worth of highways nationwide. The RICCO Act could come in to pay since three parties have conspired to violate current law, to operate many fleets of trucks illegally upon the nations highways. It could be the Trucking Industry, the Coal Industry, certain govenment officials conspired to cause certain federal and state laws to be ignored in order to benefit those industries. Three makes a conspiracy according to the RICCO Act. Those company's made bundles of extra money in hauling overweight, could be $25,000 per heavy truck.
Sammy J. Baisden, Pt. Pleasant
As it is, the miners take a great risk when working and there are still numerous problems. If laws are relaxed, we would only be opening the door for more problems for the miners.
Patty Caudill, Valley Fork, WV
Don't change state regulations.I am getting covered up with dust and noise from peabody coal companys.Lightfoot mines and there rivers edge mines.I have been layed off for 14 years from peabody coal company.I dont think i could stand any more dust or noise.If i could keep a job at mining.Maybe i might see it differently.But coal companys dont care about anyone.I have worked for a.T.Massey and peabody coal companys.And there is no difference between the two.Peabody has had just as many black water spills as massey has. In this area.But no one will say anything about that.After every one get layed off like i have been.Maybe then peabody coal will get the same name as massey coal.And they deserve it.
Stacy Harris, Bim
When no miners have died in the mines for about five years, and no creeks have died due to mining for about the same amount of time, maybe we'll talk about weakening the regulations.
Dr. Joe Jarrell, Charleston
The current mining laws were written in miners blood, meaning that these laws save lives and without the loss of lives we wouldn't have tougher rules than the feds. WV is currently experiencing flooding in Mingo Co. WV because of a sludge pond overflowing. How many Buffalo Creek's do we need to wake up our lawmakers? And last but not least lets not forgot about Quecreek, the explosion in Alabama and the most recent one at the Consol's mine in northern WV!
Patty Sebok, Seth, WV
I feel that the laws are not stringent enough. With the total claims of property and environmental damage there is no way that the laws should be equal to those of federal standards. Until lawmakers and the general public realize that there is a great risk to our naturalized areas I feel that there will never be true regulation. As it is now the mining industry can do whatever they want with minimal fines whenever something does go wrong.
James Moore, Chapmanville
My father is a coal miner in Southern West Virginia, and we depend on him for our financial support. With all the mines shutting down for various reasons, some because of the mining regulations, my father may lose his job. He's a very proud man, and if that were to occur, he wouldn't know what to do. I think that our state needs to consider the effects of such strict regulations and what it does to so many families here.
Nancy Runyon, Delbarton
In West Virginia, we have a higher standard due to the close proximity of the mining operations to the homes of people in the area. If we relax the standards for the mining companies people will die, just like they have for years due to the mines, only at a much more elevated rate.
G. Anderson, Seattle
No way!
Jamin, Charleston
West Virginia already suffers greatly at the hands of coal mining in many ways. This winter storm we are currently enduring has resulted in slurry spills, flooding due to topographic changes in the south and various other mining and logging fallout. Relaxing the laws to fit fed standings will create even harsher issues for this state to endure. Have we not already endured enough? I would like to point out that the laws are not geared for each states own unique landscape and is what created this mess to begin with. Who knows best what West Virginia needs? Some politician sitting in his office many miles away or the people that must live their life within the states boundries?
Stephanie Hamilton, Calvin
We allow roads and shopping centers to be constructed creating valley fills and flattening hills but it is ok. Double Standard? We allow the timber industry to operate without permits and very little enforcement. If all industry in West Virginia, including WVDOH, were forced to meet the same requirements that mines now have you would see that a lot of the problems blamed on mining are actually from other sources. Silt in streams is from no erosion control on road construction sites and timbering not mining. Mining has its problems, mainly water quality, but we seem to blame all on this industry.
Tim, Belle
All business needs to be on a level playing field with compietors. When our mining laws are tougher than the laws in other states our coal companies are at a disadvantages in the already tough coal market. We must wake up to create a better business climate.
Mark Adkins, Fayetteville
Some of the laws are good, but you have some that are just about impossible to obyde by.
Randy Fitzpatrick, Kermit, WV
Put WV on the same playing field
Robert Hill, Dixie,WV 25059
Because they would make less money.
Keisha Miller, Danville
I think that WV laws do not need to be relaxed anynore than are. If they are relaxed anymore than they are, I state will suffer immensely!!
Lisa Buchanan,
We need to raise standards even higher
Don Alexander, Spencer, WV
I think that WV laws do not need to be relaxed anymore than they are. If they are relaxed anymore, I think the state will suffer immensely!!
Lisa Buchanan, Gilbert
No. There are far too many deaths related to mines as it is.Regulations need to be high to insure safety for the minors.
Marlena, Danville,W.Va
I do think the laws should be more relaxed to a point. My husband is currently working in a Ky mines, though he has worked in a WV mines before. There are so many rules these men have to follow, that at some point they do get ignored. They are told by higher bosses to do what is needed to mine the coal, whether it be legal or not. It does put many lives in danger, I understand that. But in order for the men to do thier job and finish on time, rules are ignored and the coal is produced. It does seem funny to me though that when an underground boss is told to outlaw his section to get as much coal as needed, its his life that can be taken from him if he is caught, not the superintendent in charge. I know this may be way off subject matter, but if the laws were more relaxed then the men could do their jobs without getting in trouble, and staying back for hours on end. So yes I do think that for the sake of the miners the laws should be more relaxed.
South Williamson, Ky
If anything, mining laws should be more strict. If the coal companies have their way, WV will suffer greatly. They have no disregard for human life. That goes back to the days of the beginning of coal mining in WV. We all know what they did. They want coal truck weight limits relaxed? Great! More human lives will suffer. The condition of the roads will suffer. All these coal slurries are detrimental to the environment. The coal fields have the opportunity to be great trout fisheries. They are in high elevation where the water runs cool. Instead, mass amounts of slurry kill all wildlife in these water ways. Ground water also suffers. I just have a hard time finding the good in what the coal companies are doing.
Marcus, Huntington
West Virginian miners may like it, but how much mining really goes on in other states? I know that coal is a big industry, but those regulations are there to help our children in the future and to help keep those workers safe.
Tessa, Poca
We have enough problems with mining accidents now. I know that mining brings in alot but think about what it takes away from the familys who don't have a mother or father now because of mining accidents
Sarah Smith, South Charleston
Too much environmental disaster already. WV does not exist to promise the out-of-state coal barons a globally competitive advantge no matter what the cost to us and our future.
doug, Oak Hill
NO, West Virginia Has given the coal industry too much in tax breaks and giveaways already. Where's the economic development on post mine land sites they promised. Our lawmakers are in bed with the coal industry.
Penny Henderson, Rock Creek
Everyone is so concerned about the coal jobs in WV and they don't understand that without coal and coal mines WV would be devastated.
Reta, Fort Gay
There is good and bad in everything. The system will be abused regardless of the whether the rules are relaxed or not because that's the way it is anymore.
Vicki Church, Alloy, WV
Im from a cole mining family. Relaxed rules would only cause more death.
Naomi Moore, Belle, WV
These guys will destroy our state, take the money, and leave us with the clean up bills.
Vivian Stockman, Huntington
That's exactly what I would expect from a bunch of outlaws who destroy mountains and water, pollute streams, and terrorize people with blasting and floods. The coal companies should obey the law or get out of the business.
Carolyn Johnson, Denver, CO
Tourism in this state is good for the economy and has done wonders for employment, but, the jobs do not pay the wages necessary to raise a family at todays standards. Coal jobs are generally hard work, but good paying jobs that reach out beyond the coal mine into the rest of the private sector. For every job in the industry, there are 6 to 8 outside the industry supporting that job. There are massive income tax revenues that are at stake here, not to mention the coal severance taxes that are paid by the operators. So, relaxing a bit, to allow for groth in our industry is good for the workers, the economy, and for the State.
Tim Browning, Cannelton, WV
This would be a terrible mistake. We need to stop big coal, not help it to ruin our region. We will fight this bill and we will win.
Carol Wheeler, Huntington
Matter of fact I'd like to see slowly phasing out the use of coal. WV could be a leader in alternative energy. Another state already is as heard on Paul Harvey News. But no most of the time we're to lazey to change.
Russ Dean, Advent, WV
I personnaly think it a mistake, to relax any kind of standard. They already get away with enough, and to lessen would be even more grave, than it is now.
Roger D. Estepp, Lenore, W.Va. 25676
Absolutely not! West Virginia should make its own rules to fit its own conditions. Federal law sets the bare minimum below which no state can slide - we should do better than that.
Bruce Perrone, Charleston
This would mean we could look forward to adding more names on the list at the Coal Memorial at Nellis WV. You should show the memorial on your news sometime and maybe it will help others see why we need these laws.
Doris Aiff, Chesapeake
They are ruining our roads, raping our land, killing our aquatic life with acid drainage. Out of state based mining companies are taking profits/revenues out of our state and not giving OUR economy the full benefits for the high price we pay to ruin our land, all for small amount of jobs for the people who live in these mining areas. There are plenty of mining reclamation sites that have been returned to beautiful prosperous woodlands and meadows. But why doesn't anyone go to the Department of Abandoned Mining Lands (AML). Ask them to show you how many cases they have of highly dangerous mining sites that have been abandoned.
Heather Parks, South Charleston
The coal companies already think they own West Virginia and think they can get by with anything and everything. They need to learn to abide by the rules and laws like the rest of us.
Nina Cooper, Nellis
We need to look at people who are making $60,000 to over $150,000 and cut them across the board. Also, why do legislature get more expense money from the state than employees i.e. for lunch, dinner etc. when traveling.
J. D. Payne, Charleston
I think they should be the same but state should make sure these rules are followed.
Judith A. Walker, Summersville
Also feel the Coal Trucks should stay with in the 80.000 pound's limit. Thank You
Robert Bowyer, Sutton W.Va.
Being a disabled miner/truckdriver, I think the laws should be lowered somewhat. I have seen my family and friends have to leave the state in order to make a living. The reason is the coal companies had to shut down because they could not operate with the laws being what they are, so I think the laws should be relaxed. Thank you for your time.
Kenneth Neil, Gauley Bridge,WV
I think they should still be harsh on the mining regulations because, even though lots have jobs in the mining industry, the mining both underground and mountain top removal are ruining the land. The heavy trucks are destroying the roads and now people are complaining about the coal dust settling on the their vehicles. It seems mining needs to be replaced with another energy source such as solar energy. It is less pollutive to the atmosphere and the soil, and keeps the people that live in this great state happy.
Joshua Bradford, Scott Depot
The rest of the country should meet our laws and exceed them. As we are the caretakers of this place until the end of time.
Neva, Nitro
We should not go back to the lowest common denominator. The more stringent laws, a reflection of past abuses by the industry, were enacted only as a way to cut the miners death toll, the flagrant disregard for the rights of people living in mining areas and prevent environmental disasters. Although coal has provided a livelihood for many families, it has also provided high profits for mining companies for over a century. The rules are constantly being challenged but the reasons they were enacted are a constant known as history; the past must be the basis for the future.
Don Miller, Charleston, WV
The rgulations are tougher for a reason. Not everyone lives in a mountain filled state like ours that has such a complex delicate ecosystem and produces as much coal.
Ryan, Arrington
Mining states have different topographies and different needs. One standard does not fit all. The current scheme of having federal minimums and approval of state plans makes sense. West Virginia needs to have input into coal mining regulation ... especially with the current Bush administration that seemingly would allow the Grand Canyon to become a valley fill if extractive industries wanted it.
DL Hamilton, Charleston WV
NO!! They come in rape the land, then when there is nothing left to make a penny on they close down and leave the land destroyed, and leave West Virginia holding an empty bag.
,
Federal rules have to cover all states. Some states, like WV, have more difficult problems, due to terrain, and therefore need stricter rules. The surface & underground water ways are impacted by mining much more here than in a flat area and are much harder to clean up after pollution occurs.
Lanora L. Galya, Madison, WV 25130
The Coal Operators have ruled West Virginia Politics for too long. It is time for West Virginians to take a stand against poor pay, polluted streams, abandoned sites, and environmental destruction. First, the Federal Government needs to step in and mandate that coal truck drivers are paid by the hour, not tonnage. Second, legislation needs to be passed so that absentee coal operators are held liable to clean up the mess they have made of many West Virginia streams, mountain tops, and recreational areas. It is due time for West Virginians to stand up against the coal operators. do not believe the propaganda that they throw at you everyday on television and in local papers. These coal operators have made enough money off of West Virginia, do not lower standards so they can make more!
Reuben Ellis, Hurricane
I don't feel that the state of WV has tough enough mining laws. If this state would follow through with enforcing the mining laws and regulations then we wouldn't be having the blackwater spills, and abandoned mountain top removal mines that we as taxpayers must pay to clean up.
Andrea Sharps, Smithville
Coal companies MUST obey state and federal laws. If the coal owners and operators had obeyed the laws all along, there would not be a controversy.
M.W. Carney,
I don't believe there are enough regulations put on them. They claim they are good for Wv, but time and again they end up putting more of a burden on our economy than they contribute. It is usally taxpayers that suffer because they don't want to abide by the law and pollute, flood, and destroy our roads and environment. If you don't watch them like a hawk they will try subvert our laws and then make it look like we aren't coal friendly. The days where they can pull the wool over ours eyes are over. We are wiser to their tatics nowadays and I hope our legislature will see through their deceptions.
L. Winston, Beckley, Wv
The key is enforcement. West Virginia has plenty of laws (including basic traffic laws) that are stricter than other states but the enforcement ranges from poor to none. Our legislature passes new laws every year but never backs them up with enforcement. It's embarrassing.
Mike Collins, Williamstown
As an ex-coal miner in Alabama, I studied Alabama state coal mining laws as well as Federal mining laws to become a certified mine foerman. It really is hard to mine coal and stay within the federal and state guidelines. We used to say that it was illegal to mine coal in the state of Alabama. As a railroad conductor now, I carry close to 1,000 pages of rule book with me now, and sometimes it seems like overkill, but if you take a close-up look at industrial regulations of any kind, and you understand the industry at all, you will realize that most rules and regulations are written in blood. At some time in the past, rules have been been put in place because of an incident or close call.
Daniel Webb, Birmingham, Al
No they get away with all kinds of rediculos stuff as it is.
Charles, Miami
These regulations are there to protect our miners as well as our states natural resources. relaxing them would endanger both the miners and the natural beauty of our state.
David Thomas, charleston
WV's coal industry is an important, but overrated part of the economy of the state. In the past 20 years, coal has cut the number of people it employees, forces truckers to sign contracts that are illegal since they are forced to break state law in order to meet the terms they sign for, and have been given tax breaks to help develop the area's the operate in. Unfortunately for the people in those areas the coal fields are some of the worst areas in WV in terms of economic growth, or prospects for economic growth, in education they tend to rank in the bottom of our 55 counties. Due to our disproportional support of coal benefits, to what coal is actually doing for our state we certainly don't need to give them even more of a break.
Jeff Mace, Charleston
The mining industry continues to lose employment through mine closures due to the unstable regulatory environment. Something needs to be done to stablize current employment and the State's fragile tax base. This would be a step in the right direction, to provide stability to one our important industries.
Susan L. Kline, So. Charleston
I have worked in KY, Tenn, and Va where the state agencies follow along with MSHA. I would not call it being relaxed to MSHA's standards. I would call it merging into the 21st century. Let me give you an example; Diesel equipment underground. Everyone uses it but WV. We are living in the dinosaur age. Just as my dad always told me, If the company doesn't make money, you won't be making money either. When I send plans in to the state they want to know if MSHA has approved the plan. If so, they will sign the plan. MSHA has reviewers that disect the plans and the state does not have this luxury. So why should the state be more strigent? I hope you receive comments from other people in the coal industry and not just tree huggers that do not care about our families and future.
James Sumner, Madison, WV
Having two sets of standards in WV imposes undue restrictions on coal operators, and puts them at a definate disadvantage on marketing their coal. It also places an undue burden on th eresidents of WV, who must support the cost of the administration of the additional laws.
Jim Bell, Uniontown, PA
This is just another reason the business climate in West Virginia is so bad. Not only will new business not come to the state but we are losing the ones we have. No other Coal rich state is so anti-coal as West Virginia. Changes need to be made before this state becomes just a wildlife refuge that people do not live in, they just visit.
Terry Cole, Beckley
Sure why not. Mining doesnt effect me.
Rob, St Albans
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