A bill changing the mine inspection requirements emerged from the Senate Natural Resources Committee Wednesday. The measure offers flexibility to the State Division of Mine Safety in carrying out its inspection duties. Charles Snavely, Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary, explained the bill.
“The proposed statute maintains the six required inspections annually, but it allows the division, actually the commissioner, to replace up to three of those inspections with mine safety analyst visits.”
Snavely said reduced revenues in coal severance taxes prompted a major reduction in the number of inspectors. Proponents say mine safety specialists can assess mine conditions and help shape miner behavior during visits.
