News Release

Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission

Office of the Executive Director
Washington, D.C.

Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission
Publishes Interim Rule on Miner Act

Michael F. Duffy, Chairman of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, announced today the Commission's publication of an interim procedural rule implementing the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006, or MINER Act. The MINER Act, which was signed by President George W. Bush on June 15, 2006, amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. The MINER Act requires in part that each underground coal mine operator shall develop and adopt a written accident response plan no later than 60 days after enactment of the MINER Act, and requires the Commission to resolve disputes arising between operators and the Secretary of Labor over plan contents on an expedited basis. The Commission's interim rule establishes procedures for the adjudication of such disputes.

Although the interim rule became effective upon publication on July 18, 2006, the Commission invites public comments on the interim rule in order to assist the Commission in its deliberations regarding the adoption of a permanent rule. The Commission will accept public comments until August 17, 2006.

The Commission's interim rule is published in the July 18, 2006 Federal Register. A link to the rule appears on the Commission's website at http://www.fmshrc.gov under the heading "What's New."

For further information concerning the interim rule, please contact Thomas A. Stock, General Counsel, Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, 601 New Jersey Avenue, N.W., Suite 9500, Washington, D.C. 20001-2021; telephone 202-434-9935; fax 202-434-9944.

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission is an independent federal agency that adjudicates disputes arising from the enforcement of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

Link to Federal Register

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