FRANKFORT – With many in the coal industry complaining that mine inspections are becoming too numerous to handle, Gov. Steve Beshear announced Tuesday that he has approved an increase in the number of inspectors and number of mining permit reviewers working for the state.
“The addition of 15 mine inspectors in the Office of Mine Safety and Licensing will not only help with our efforts to complete the number of required inspections, but will also enhance our nationally recognized mine rescue team capabilities and response,” Beshear said in a statement Tuesday.
The new line of inspectors will serve as members of the state’s mine rescue teams.
Resolutions passed by Floyd and Martin counties will enable the 15 inspectors to be funded through the Multi-County Local Government Economic Development Fund. This was done with agreements between the Department for Local Government, the Energy and Environment Cabinet and Floyd County.
“As a legislator from the coal region, I am grateful to Gov. Beshear for taking this initiative to help the coal industry and am always thankful for coal safety measures,” said state Sen. Johnny Ray Turner. “I appreciate that he has taken steps to make it possible to review and expedite mine permits more quickly to and keep Kentucky’s signature industry producing.”
Beshear made three stops in Eastern Kentucky to talk with miners and local officials earlier this week.
Beshear has also signed an emergency regulation that allows for assessments on new mine permit applications. The additional funding is expected to raise an estimated $800,000 with an equal federal match that will be used to pay for 19 additional employees in the Division of Mine Permits.
Due to budget cuts and retirements in 2008, the division has experienced some difficulty reviewing permit applications in a timely manner.
The division will also be assuming additional duties in the review of cumulative hydrologic impacts and fill minimization. The additional positions will enable the division to meet regulatory timeframes and fulfill the new duties, said state officials.
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I am very much a “Friend of Coal” and have long been an advocate of clean coal technology and truly understand the importance of mining to our communities livelihood, but has anyone stated how much this is going to take from our county coffers?
Will we see any additional reimbursement from additional coal severance monies? Or is this another slick political move that seems to make our elected officials look like the savors at the expense of our ever growing budget woes? After all if this is going to help coal companies produce more coal and more profits shouldn’t they pay for it?
Stan Lee
floydcountyvoterfruad.net