Petitions for Modification, 23746-23748 [E9-11674]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 96 / Wednesday, May 20, 2009 / Notices
an instantaneous trip unit calibrated to
trip at 150 amperes, the trip setting will
be sealed or locked and breakers will
have permanent legible labels, and each
label will identify the circuit breaker as
being suitable for protecting #6 cables.
The label will be maintained legible; (5)
persons designated by the operator will
visually examine the trailing cables to
ensure the cable is in safe operating
condition; (6) trailing cables that are not
in safe operating condition will be
removed from services immediately and
repaired or replaced; (7) each splice or
repair in the trailing cables will be made
in a workmanlike manner and in
accordance with the instructions of the
manufacturer of the splice or repair
materials. The splice or repair will
comply with 30 CFR 75.603 and 30 CFR
75.604; (8) permanent warning labels
will be installed and maintained on the
cover(s) of the power center to identify
the location of each sealed or locked
short-circuit protection device. These
labels will warn miners not to change or
alter these short-circuit settings; (9) the
alternative method will not be
implemented until the miners
designated to examine the integrity of
seals or locks, verify the short-circuit
settings, and proper procedures for
examining trailing cables for defects and
damage have received the elements of
the specified training; and (10) proposed
revisions for Part 48 training plans will
be submitted to the District Manager
within 60 days after the petition is
granted for the area in which the mine
is located, which will include training
in the proper procedures for examining
the trailing cables to ensure safe
operating condition, and training in
how to verify that circuit interrupting
device(s) protecting the trailing cable(s)
are properly set and maintained.
Docket Number: M–2009–009–C.
Petitioner: Twentymile Coal
Company, Three Gateway Center, suite
1340, 401 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania 15222.
Mine: Foidel Creek Mine, MSHA I.D.
No. 05–03836, located in Routt County,
Colorado. Regulation Affected: 30 CFR
75.312(c) & (d) (Maine mine fan
examination and records).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit fan-stoppage devices
and automatic closing doors to be tested
without stopping the mine fan. The
petitioner proposes the following
alternative procedure for testing the
fans: (a) The fan door will be installed
according to drawings approved by
MSHA, and the fan alarm signal will be
installed according to MSHA
requirements, including the warning
light near the door location and an
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audible and visual alarm at the
dispatcher and communication center
locations; (b) air reversal doors will be
tested every seven days by rotating the
test frame outward until it contacts the
air flow reversal door; (c) the person
conducting the test will make a visual
observation of the movement of the test
frame and general maintenance of the
metal door and frame for good repair;
(d) the fan alarm signal system
(mechanical switch) which is mounted
to the fan house, will be tested by a
responsible person every seven days by
actuating the switch; (e) the actuating of
the fan alarm switch will be verified by
a responsible person with the
communication center and the
dispatcher; (f) the person who made the
tests will record the results in a secure
book at a surface location by the end of
the shift on which the tests were made.
The book will also indicate the general
repair of the system and will be made
available to representatives of the
Secretary. The petitioner states that the
MSHA District Manager will be notified
regarding future testing of additional air
reversal fan doors, when each fan is
equipped with the new test frame
system, so that an inspection may be
scheduled prior to the seven day testing.
The petitioner further states that until
all main fans are equipped in
compliance with the approved system,
miners must be removed from the mine
for testing of any fan not yet equipped.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method will at all times
guarantee no less than the same measure
of protection to all miners as would be
provided by the standard.
Docket Number: M–2009–010–C.
Petitioner: Frasure Creek Mining, LLC,
P.O. Box 142, Justice, West Virginia
24851. Mines: No. 5 Mine, MSHA I.D.
No. 46–08942, Deep Mine No. 15,
MSHA I.D. No. 46–09209, located in
Fayette County, West Virginia, and
Isaban Deep Mine No. 3, MSHA I.D. No.
46–09245, located in Mingo County,
West Virginia.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1101–
1(b) (Deluge-type water spray systems).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit blow-off dust covers
to be used without the nozzles. The
petitioner proposes to continue its
weekly inspections and functional
testing of the complete deluge-type
water spray system. The petitioner
states that dust covers are not necessary
because the nozzles can be maintained
in an unclogged condition through
weekly use. The petitioner further states
that it is burdensome to recap the large
number of covers weekly after each
inspection and functional test. The
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petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method will at all times
guarantee no less than the same measure
of protection afforded the miners by the
existing standard.
Docket Number: M–2009–012–C.
Petitioner: Wolf Run Mining
Company, 1 Edmiston Way,
Buckhannon, West Virginia 26201.
Mines: Imperial Mine, MSHA I.D. No.
46–09115, located in Upshur County,
West Virginia.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1101–
1(b) (Deluge-type water spray systems).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit blow-off dust covers
not to be applied to nozzles on delugetype systems. The petitioner states that:
(1) The functional test required each
year under 30 CFR 75.1101–11 will be
done weekly; (2) functional tests are
currently being done a weekly basis and
although more than adequate pressure
and flow rates are being maintained for
these deluge systems, in some tests, the
dust covers do not come off all sprays;
(3) by doing this functional test weekly,
all sprays can be inspected and
maintained on a weekly basis. The dust
covers provide protection for sprays
which are tested yearly, and by testing
weekly, the covers are not necessary.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method will at all times
guarantee no less than the same measure
of protection afforded by the existing
standard.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and
Variances.
[FR Doc. E9–11673 Filed 5–19–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–43–P
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Petitions for Modification
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health
Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Notice of petitions for
modification of existing mandatory
safety standards.
SUMMARY: Section 101(c) of the Federal
Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and
30 CFR part 44 govern the application,
processing, and disposition of petitions
for modification. This notice is a
summary of petitions for modification
filed by the parties listed below to
modify the application of existing
mandatory safety standards published
in Title 30 of the Code of Federal
Regulations.
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 96 / Wednesday, May 20, 2009 / Notices
DATES: All comments on the petitions
must be received by the Office of
Standards, Regulations and Variances
on or before June 19, 2009.
ADDRESSES: You may submit your
comments, identified by ‘‘docket
number’’ on the subject line, by any of
the following methods:
1. Electronic Mail: StandardsPetitions@dol.gov.
2. Facsimile: 1–202–693–9441.
3. Regular Mail: MSHA, Office of
Standards, Regulations and Variances,
1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350,
Arlington, Virginia 22209, Attention:
Patricia W. Silvey, Director, Office of
Standards, Regulations and Variances.
4. Hand-Delivery or Courier: MSHA,
Office of Standards, Regulations and
Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard,
Room 2350, Arlington, Virginia 22209,
Attention: Patricia W. Silvey, Director,
Office of Standards, Regulations and
Variances.
MSHA will consider only comments
postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service or
proof of delivery from another delivery
service such as UPS or Federal Express
on or before the deadline for comments.
Individuals who submit comments by
hand-delivery are required to check in
at the receptionist desk on the 21st
floor.
Individuals may inspect copies of the
petitions and comments during normal
business hours at the address listed
above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Barbara Barron, Office of Standards,
Regulations and Variances at 202–693–
9447 (Voice), barron.barbara@dol.gov
(E-mail), or 202–693–9441 (Telefax).
[These are not toll-free numbers].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine
Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine
Act) allows the mine operator or
representative of miners to file a
petition to modify the application of any
mandatory safety standard to a coal or
other mine if the Secretary determines
that: (1) An alternative method of
achieving the result of such standard
exists which will at all times guarantee
no less than the same measure of
protection afforded the miners of such
mine by such standard; or (2) that the
application of such standard to such
mine will result in a diminution of
safety to the miners in such mine. In
addition, the regulations at 30 CFR
44.10 and 44.11 establish the
requirements and procedures for filing
petitions for modification.
II. Petitions for Modification
Docket Number: M–2009–004–C.
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Jkt 217001
Petitioner: Cumberland Coal
Resources, LP, Three Gateway Center,
401 Liberty Avenue, Suite 1340,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Mine: Cumberland Mine, MSHA I.D.
No. 36–05018, located in Greene
County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1700
(Oil and gas wells).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit an alternative
method of compliance for the standard
with respect to vertical degasification
wells with horizontal laterals into the
underground coal seam. The petitioner
proposes to mine through vertically
drilled degasification boreholes with
horizontal laterals using the following
plugging procedures: (1) The borehole
will be filled with flexible gel prior to
the anticipated mine through and may
use alternative grouting methods
including cementatious or polyurethane
grout; (2) a packer will be installed at a
location in the lateral to ensure that an
appropriate amount of the lateral is
filled with gel; (3) any water present in
the hole will be tested for chlorides
prior to the time of gelling and the gel
quality will be adjusted to compensate
for the chloride concentration; and (4) a
triplex piston pump will be used to
pump 1.75 times the calculated hole
volume of gel underground until the
volume of gel is depleted and 100–140
psi pressure is realized, or until gel
leakage is observed along the ribs
underground. The petitioner also
proposes to use the following
procedures for mining through plugged
degasification boreholes: (1) Prior to
mining within 300 feet of the borehole
or lateral MSHA and the Bureau of Deep
Mine Safety, and a representative of the
miners will be notified both verbally
and through a letter accompanied by a
drawing of the borehole location and
copy of a certification that plugging has
occurred; (2) prior to mining through,
the District Mine Inspector from the
Bureau of Deep Mine Safety, the MSHA
District Manager, and a representative of
the United Mine Workers of America
will be notified in sufficient time to
have a representative present during the
mining through operation; and (3)
inform all personnel working
underground at the beginning of the
shift in which a borehole or lateral will
be mined through to inform them of the
cut through and communication
procedure to be used. Persons may
review a complete description of the
petitioner’s procedures for plugging and
mining through oil and gas wells at the
MSHA address listed in this notice. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method would at all times
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23747
guarantee no less than the same measure
of protection afforded the miners under
the existing standard.
Docket Number: M–2009–005–C.
Petitioner: Pinnacle Mining Company,
LLC, P.O. Box 338, Pineville, West
Virginia 24874–0338.
Mine: Pinnacle Mine, MSHA I.D. No.
46–01816, located in Wyoming County,
West Virginia.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1700
(Oil and gas wells).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit mining through
Surface Drilled Coalbed Methane Wells
with Horizontal Branches in Coal
Seams. The petitioner proposes to
continue mining through the vertical
boreholes and horizontal legs and
branches of Coalbed Methane Wells that
penetrate the coalbed being mined. The
petitioner states that the following
method(s) will be used to protect the
miners in the mine against hazards from
the wells while mining through Surface
Drilled Coalbed Methane Wells with
Horizontal Branches in Coal Seams:
Intact Surface Articulated Horizontal
Borehole (SAHB) Mine plans Option 1:
(1) The SAHB will be infused with
water prior to the underground mining
operations breaching the SAHB; (2) legs
that are opened after mining through
may have an effective plug installed into
the coal rib to prevent an influx of
methane into the mined area. An
effective plug is any material that
impedes the flow of methane and water.
Typically, a hydraulic packer is used to
plug the hole but cement or grout may
be substituted; and (3) the holes may be
filled with water after other legs are
breached. The petitioner states that
typically, open legs are breached several
times during development mining,
which allows the segmented hole to be
ventilated or filled with water, and
when the trunk line of a SAHB has not
been severed, a negative pressure
surface pump connected to the SAHB
may be used to ventilate the hole.
Option 2: (1) The SAHB will be infused
with water prior to the underground
mining operations breaching the SAHB;
(2) a low strength grout mixture will be
injected into the SAHB from the surface
after infusion; (3) if the SAHB is located
such that it may be used as a gob well
for longwall panel, the amount of grout
mixture injected will be limited to
filling a void in the coal seam, or the
SAHB will be filled with grout to at
least fifty feet above the upper most
underground mineable coal seam. The
petitioner also states that the following
method(s) will be used to protect the
miners in the mine against hazards from
the wells while mining through Surface
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23748
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 96 / Wednesday, May 20, 2009 / Notices
Drilled Coalbed Methane Wells with
Horizontal Branches in Coal Seams:
Breached Surface Articulated Horizontal
Borehole (SAHB) Mine Through Plan:
(1) Breached SAHB’s will be ventilated
in accordance with all State and Federal
regulations; (2) legs that are open after
mining through may have an effective
plug installed into the coal rib to
prevent an excess of methane into the
mined area. An effective plug is any
material that impedes the flow of
methane and water. Typically, a
hydraulic packer is used to plug the
hole but cement or grout may be
substituted. The hole is plugged when
typical face ventilation will not suffice
and the potential for methane
accumulation exists, usually occurring
immediately after cut through; (3)
typically, open legs are breached several
times during development mining,
which allows the segmented hole to be
ventilated and eliminates methane
storage capacity; (4) should a situation
occur where a breached leg continues to
produce methane and cannot be
ventilated, the hole will be water
infused again. Water infusion will take
place underground using mine water at
standard operating pressure. The hole
will remain infused until it is
determined that it may be safely bled off
and ventilated or it is breached during
secondary mining; and (5) when the
trunk line of a SAHB has not been
severed, a negative pressure surface
pump connected to the SAHB may be
used to ventilate the hole. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method will at all times
guarantee no less than the same measure
of protection afforded by the existing
standard.
Docket Number: M–2009–006–C.
Petitioner: Spartan Mining Company,
P.O. Box 1120, Holden, West Virginia
25625.
Mine: Road Fork No. 51 Mine, MSHA
I.D. No. 46–01544, located in Wyoming
County, West Virginia.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1700
(Oil and gas wells).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit an alternative
method of compliance when: (1) Mining
within 75 feet of a horizontal wellbore;
(2) when initially mining through a
horizontal wellbore; and (3) when
subsequently mining through horizontal
wellbores, using the specific procedures
listed in this petition for modification.
The petitioner states that; (1) no person
shall be permitted in the area of the
mine-through operation except those
actually engaged in the operation,
company personnel, personnel from
MSHA, and personnel from the
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15:27 May 19, 2009
Jkt 217001
appropriate West Virginia agency; (2)
the mine-through operation shall be
under the direct supervision of a
certified official; and (3) prior to mining
through the first lateral wellbore of a
coalbed methane well and a well which
has already had at least one lateral
wellbore mined through, Spartan will
verify that any water that is present will
be bailed from the vertical section of the
wellbore, as close to the coal seam
elevation as practical, using normal
bailing equipment; and (4) the surface
wellhead will be maintained opened to
bring the vertical section of the wellbore
to outside atmosphere pressure. A
complete description of the procedures
the petitioner will use in implementing
its modification can be reviewed at the
MSHA address listed in this notice. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method will at all times
guarantee no less than the same measure
of protection afforded by the existing
standard.
Docket Number: M–2009–007–C.
Petitioner: Black Butte Coal Company,
P.O. Box 98, Point of Rocks, Wyoming
82942.
Mine: Black Butte and Leucite Hills
Mines, MSHA I.D. No. 48–01180,
located in Sweetwater County,
Wyoming.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR
77.1304(a) (Blasting agents; special
provisions).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit the use of
commercially recycled petroleum-based
lubrication oil that is commercially
mixed with unused No. 2 fuel oil to
create a blasting agent. The petitioner
states that the mixed oil is purchased in
batches of approximately 8,000 to
10,000 gallons and is not mixed with
ammonium nitrate prill until the
Ammonium Nitrate-Fuel Oil (ANFO)
components are placed in a blasting
hole. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would at
all times guarantee no less than the
same measure of protection afforded by
the existing standard.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and
Variances.
[FR Doc. E9–11674 Filed 5–19–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–43–P
LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION
Sunshine Act Meeting of the Board of
Directors
The Board of Directors
of the Legal Services Corporation will
TIME AND DATE:
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meet on May 26, 2009 via conference
call. The meeting will begin at 11 a.m.
(EDT), and continue until conclusion of
the Board’s agenda.
LOCATION: 3333 K Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20007, 3rd Floor
Conference Room.
STATUS OF MEETING: Open. Directors
will participate by telephone conference
in such a manner as to enable interested
members of the public to hear and
identify all persons participating in the
meeting. Members of the public may
observe the meeting by joining
participating staff at the location
indicated above.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: 1. Approval
of the agenda.
2. Consider and act on Board of
Directors’ response to the Inspector
General’s Semiannual Report to
Congress for the period of October 1,
2008 through March 31, 2009.
3. Consider and act on other business.
4. Public comment.
CONTACT PERSON FOR INFORMATION:
Katherine Ward, Executive Assistant to
the Vice President for Legal Affairs, at
(202) 295–1500.
SPECIAL NEEDS: Upon request, meeting
notices will be made available in
alternate formats to accommodate visual
and hearing impairments. Individuals
who have a disability and need an
accommodation to attend the meeting
may notify Katherine Ward, at (202)
295–1500.
Dated: May 15, 2009.
Victor M. Fortuno,
Vice President for Legal Affairs, General
Counsel & Corporate Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9–11916 Filed 5–18–09; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 7050–01–P
NATIONAL CREDIT UNION
ADMINISTRATION
Sunshine Act; Notice of Matter To Be
Deleted From the Agenda of a
Previously Announced Agency
Meeting
TIME AND DATE: 11:15 a.m., Thursday,
May 21, 2009.
PLACE: Board Room, 7th Floor, Room
7047, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA
22314–3428.
STATUS:
Closed.
3. Personnel (1).
Closed pursuant to some or all of the
following: Exemptions (2) and (6).
MATTER TO BE DELETED:
E:\FR\FM\20MYN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 20, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23746-23748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-11674]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Petitions for Modification
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Notice of petitions for modification of existing mandatory
safety standards.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of
1977 and 30 CFR part 44 govern the application, processing, and
disposition of petitions for modification. This notice is a summary of
petitions for modification filed by the parties listed below to modify
the application of existing mandatory safety standards published in
Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
[[Page 23747]]
DATES: All comments on the petitions must be received by the Office of
Standards, Regulations and Variances on or before June 19, 2009.
ADDRESSES: You may submit your comments, identified by ``docket
number'' on the subject line, by any of the following methods:
1. Electronic Mail: Standards-Petitions@dol.gov.
2. Facsimile: 1-202-693-9441.
3. Regular Mail: MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations and
Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, Virginia 22209,
Attention: Patricia W. Silvey, Director, Office of Standards,
Regulations and Variances.
4. Hand-Delivery or Courier: MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations
and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, Virginia
22209, Attention: Patricia W. Silvey, Director, Office of Standards,
Regulations and Variances.
MSHA will consider only comments postmarked by the U.S. Postal
Service or proof of delivery from another delivery service such as UPS
or Federal Express on or before the deadline for comments. Individuals
who submit comments by hand-delivery are required to check in at the
receptionist desk on the 21st floor.
Individuals may inspect copies of the petitions and comments during
normal business hours at the address listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Barron, Office of Standards,
Regulations and Variances at 202-693-9447 (Voice),
barron.barbara@dol.gov (E-mail), or 202-693-9441 (Telefax). [These are
not toll-free numbers].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
(Mine Act) allows the mine operator or representative of miners to file
a petition to modify the application of any mandatory safety standard
to a coal or other mine if the Secretary determines that: (1) An
alternative method of achieving the result of such standard exists
which will at all times guarantee no less than the same measure of
protection afforded the miners of such mine by such standard; or (2)
that the application of such standard to such mine will result in a
diminution of safety to the miners in such mine. In addition, the
regulations at 30 CFR 44.10 and 44.11 establish the requirements and
procedures for filing petitions for modification.
II. Petitions for Modification
Docket Number: M-2009-004-C.
Petitioner: Cumberland Coal Resources, LP, Three Gateway Center,
401 Liberty Avenue, Suite 1340, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Mine: Cumberland Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 36-05018, located in Greene
County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1700 (Oil and gas wells).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard to permit an alternative method of compliance for the
standard with respect to vertical degasification wells with horizontal
laterals into the underground coal seam. The petitioner proposes to
mine through vertically drilled degasification boreholes with
horizontal laterals using the following plugging procedures: (1) The
borehole will be filled with flexible gel prior to the anticipated mine
through and may use alternative grouting methods including cementatious
or polyurethane grout; (2) a packer will be installed at a location in
the lateral to ensure that an appropriate amount of the lateral is
filled with gel; (3) any water present in the hole will be tested for
chlorides prior to the time of gelling and the gel quality will be
adjusted to compensate for the chloride concentration; and (4) a
triplex piston pump will be used to pump 1.75 times the calculated hole
volume of gel underground until the volume of gel is depleted and 100-
140 psi pressure is realized, or until gel leakage is observed along
the ribs underground. The petitioner also proposes to use the following
procedures for mining through plugged degasification boreholes: (1)
Prior to mining within 300 feet of the borehole or lateral MSHA and the
Bureau of Deep Mine Safety, and a representative of the miners will be
notified both verbally and through a letter accompanied by a drawing of
the borehole location and copy of a certification that plugging has
occurred; (2) prior to mining through, the District Mine Inspector from
the Bureau of Deep Mine Safety, the MSHA District Manager, and a
representative of the United Mine Workers of America will be notified
in sufficient time to have a representative present during the mining
through operation; and (3) inform all personnel working underground at
the beginning of the shift in which a borehole or lateral will be mined
through to inform them of the cut through and communication procedure
to be used. Persons may review a complete description of the
petitioner's procedures for plugging and mining through oil and gas
wells at the MSHA address listed in this notice. The petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method would at all times guarantee no
less than the same measure of protection afforded the miners under the
existing standard.
Docket Number: M-2009-005-C.
Petitioner: Pinnacle Mining Company, LLC, P.O. Box 338, Pineville,
West Virginia 24874-0338.
Mine: Pinnacle Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-01816, located in Wyoming
County, West Virginia.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1700 (Oil and gas wells).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard to permit mining through Surface Drilled Coalbed
Methane Wells with Horizontal Branches in Coal Seams. The petitioner
proposes to continue mining through the vertical boreholes and
horizontal legs and branches of Coalbed Methane Wells that penetrate
the coalbed being mined. The petitioner states that the following
method(s) will be used to protect the miners in the mine against
hazards from the wells while mining through Surface Drilled Coalbed
Methane Wells with Horizontal Branches in Coal Seams: Intact Surface
Articulated Horizontal Borehole (SAHB) Mine plans Option 1: (1) The
SAHB will be infused with water prior to the underground mining
operations breaching the SAHB; (2) legs that are opened after mining
through may have an effective plug installed into the coal rib to
prevent an influx of methane into the mined area. An effective plug is
any material that impedes the flow of methane and water. Typically, a
hydraulic packer is used to plug the hole but cement or grout may be
substituted; and (3) the holes may be filled with water after other
legs are breached. The petitioner states that typically, open legs are
breached several times during development mining, which allows the
segmented hole to be ventilated or filled with water, and when the
trunk line of a SAHB has not been severed, a negative pressure surface
pump connected to the SAHB may be used to ventilate the hole. Option 2:
(1) The SAHB will be infused with water prior to the underground mining
operations breaching the SAHB; (2) a low strength grout mixture will be
injected into the SAHB from the surface after infusion; (3) if the SAHB
is located such that it may be used as a gob well for longwall panel,
the amount of grout mixture injected will be limited to filling a void
in the coal seam, or the SAHB will be filled with grout to at least
fifty feet above the upper most underground mineable coal seam. The
petitioner also states that the following method(s) will be used to
protect the miners in the mine against hazards from the wells while
mining through Surface
[[Page 23748]]
Drilled Coalbed Methane Wells with Horizontal Branches in Coal Seams:
Breached Surface Articulated Horizontal Borehole (SAHB) Mine Through
Plan: (1) Breached SAHB's will be ventilated in accordance with all
State and Federal regulations; (2) legs that are open after mining
through may have an effective plug installed into the coal rib to
prevent an excess of methane into the mined area. An effective plug is
any material that impedes the flow of methane and water. Typically, a
hydraulic packer is used to plug the hole but cement or grout may be
substituted. The hole is plugged when typical face ventilation will not
suffice and the potential for methane accumulation exists, usually
occurring immediately after cut through; (3) typically, open legs are
breached several times during development mining, which allows the
segmented hole to be ventilated and eliminates methane storage
capacity; (4) should a situation occur where a breached leg continues
to produce methane and cannot be ventilated, the hole will be water
infused again. Water infusion will take place underground using mine
water at standard operating pressure. The hole will remain infused
until it is determined that it may be safely bled off and ventilated or
it is breached during secondary mining; and (5) when the trunk line of
a SAHB has not been severed, a negative pressure surface pump connected
to the SAHB may be used to ventilate the hole. The petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method will at all times guarantee no
less than the same measure of protection afforded by the existing
standard.
Docket Number: M-2009-006-C.
Petitioner: Spartan Mining Company, P.O. Box 1120, Holden, West
Virginia 25625.
Mine: Road Fork No. 51 Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-01544, located in
Wyoming County, West Virginia.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1700 (Oil and gas wells).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard to permit an alternative method of compliance when:
(1) Mining within 75 feet of a horizontal wellbore; (2) when initially
mining through a horizontal wellbore; and (3) when subsequently mining
through horizontal wellbores, using the specific procedures listed in
this petition for modification. The petitioner states that; (1) no
person shall be permitted in the area of the mine-through operation
except those actually engaged in the operation, company personnel,
personnel from MSHA, and personnel from the appropriate West Virginia
agency; (2) the mine-through operation shall be under the direct
supervision of a certified official; and (3) prior to mining through
the first lateral wellbore of a coalbed methane well and a well which
has already had at least one lateral wellbore mined through, Spartan
will verify that any water that is present will be bailed from the
vertical section of the wellbore, as close to the coal seam elevation
as practical, using normal bailing equipment; and (4) the surface
wellhead will be maintained opened to bring the vertical section of the
wellbore to outside atmosphere pressure. A complete description of the
procedures the petitioner will use in implementing its modification can
be reviewed at the MSHA address listed in this notice. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method will at all times
guarantee no less than the same measure of protection afforded by the
existing standard.
Docket Number: M-2009-007-C.
Petitioner: Black Butte Coal Company, P.O. Box 98, Point of Rocks,
Wyoming 82942.
Mine: Black Butte and Leucite Hills Mines, MSHA I.D. No. 48-01180,
located in Sweetwater County, Wyoming.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 77.1304(a) (Blasting agents; special
provisions).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard to permit the use of commercially recycled petroleum-
based lubrication oil that is commercially mixed with unused No. 2 fuel
oil to create a blasting agent. The petitioner states that the mixed
oil is purchased in batches of approximately 8,000 to 10,000 gallons
and is not mixed with ammonium nitrate prill until the Ammonium
Nitrate-Fuel Oil (ANFO) components are placed in a blasting hole. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would at all
times guarantee no less than the same measure of protection afforded by
the existing standard.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances.
[FR Doc. E9-11674 Filed 5-19-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
