Massey Energy is cited
Massey Energy says it’s been cited for two more alleged serious safety violations, including one at the Upper Big Branch coal mine.
Massey says in a regulatory filing that federal investigators found bad roof and wall conditions and flooding at the Raleigh County mine. The Mine Safety and Health Administration decided the conditions posed an imminent danger of death or injury and cited the company Thursday.
Virginia-based Massey says the problems are not in an area where investigators are looking for clues to the explosion that killed 29 miners April 5. Massey says it disputes MSHA’s conclusion, but is fixing the problems.
Massey says it also was cited for a faulty circuit breaker at its Derby Wilson Mine in Wise County, Va., Aug. 30. No one was injured because of either violation.
Water firm wants surcharge
West Virginia American Water wants to tack a surcharge onto customers’ bills to cover the cost of replacing aging pipes.
The company asked the state Public Service Commission to OK the quarterly surcharge, which would be a new funding method in West Virginia. American Water says it wants the money for 423 projects in 11 counties. The company estimates the price at $25.1 million.
President Wayne Morgan tells the Charleston Gazette that replacing mains now will save money for customers in the long term.
PSC Consumer Advocate Byron Harris opposes the proposal. He says it shifts the risk of investing in improvement to customers from company shareholders.
Charleston gets sewer loan
A state panel has approved a $25.8 million low-interest loan to help West Virginia’s largest city repair or replace 18 miles of sewer lines.
The Charleston Gazette newspaper reported that the West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council approved the loan for the city of Charleston on Wednesday.
Council member Chris Jarrett says the loan may be the last approved for big cities such as Charleston and Huntington. Jarrett says he’s planning to introduce new rules that would require private loans for big cities, which would increase costs.
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