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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 22, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7711-7712]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-01397]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Affirmative Decisions on Petitions for Modification Granted in 
Whole or in Part

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 governs the 
application, processing, and disposition of petitions for modification 
of mandatory safety standards. Any mine operator or representative of 
miners may petition for an alternative method of complying with an 
existing safety standard. MSHA reviews the content of each submitted 
petition, assesses the mine in question, and ultimately issues a 
decision on the petition. This notice includes a list of petitions for 
modification that were granted after MSHA's review and investigation, 
between July 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the final decisions are posted on MSHA's website 
at https://www.msha.gov/regulations/rulemaking/petitions-modification. 
The public may inspect the petitions and final decisions in person at 
MSHA. To arrange an in-person visit, call 202-693-9455 or contact 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: S. Aromie Noe, Director, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances at 202-693-9440 (voice), 
[email protected] (email), or 202-693-9441 (facsimile). These are 
not toll-free numbers.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    Under section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 
1977, any mine operator or representative of miners may petition to use 
an alternative approach to comply with a mandatory safety standard. In 
response, the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) or his or her designee may 
modify the application of a mandatory safety standard to that mine if 
the Secretary determines that: (1) An alternative method exists that 
will guarantee no less protection for the miners affected than that 
provided by the standard; or (2) the application of the standard will 
result in a diminution of safety to the affected miners.
    MSHA bases the final decision on the petitioner's statements, any 
comments and information submitted by interested persons, and a field 
investigation of the conditions at the mine. In some instances, MSHA 
may approve a petition for modification on the condition that the mine 
operator complies with other requirements noted in the decision. In 
other instances, MSHA may deny, dismiss, or revoke a petition for 
modification. In accordance with 30 CFR 44.5, MSHA publishes every 
final action granting a petition for modification.

II. Granted Petitions for Modification

    On the basis of the findings of MSHA's investigation, and as 
designee of the Secretary, MSHA granted or partially granted the 
petitions for modification below. Since the previous Federal Register 
notice (89 FR 68208) included petitions granted through June 30, 2024, 
the following are petitions granted between July 1, 2024, and December 
31, 2024. The granted petitions are shown in the order that MSHA 
received them.
     Docket Number: M-2023-009-C.
    FR Notice: 88 FR 55732 (08/16/2023).
    Petitioner: Peabody Twentymile Coal Mining, LLC, 29515 Routt County 
Road 27, Oak Creek, Colorado 80467.
    Mine: Foidel Creek Mine, MSHA ID No. 05-03836, located in Routt 
County, Colorado.

[[Page 7712]]

    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.500(d) (Permissible electric 
equipment).
     Docket Number: M-2023-010-C.
    FR Notice: 88 FR 55724 (08/16/2023).
    Petitioner: Peabody Twentymile Coal Mining, LLC, 29515 Routt County 
Road 27, Oak Creek, Colorado 80467.
    Mine: Foidel Creek Mine, MSHA ID No. 05-03836, located in Routt 
County, Colorado.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.507-1(a) (Electrical equipment other 
than power-connection points; outby the last open crosscut; return air; 
permissibility requirements).
     Docket Number: M-2023-011-C.
    FR Notice: 88 FR 55730 (08/16/2023).
    Petitioner: Peabody Twentymile Coal Mining, LLC, 29515 Routt County 
Road 27, Oak Creek, Colorado 80467.
    Mine: Foidel Creek Mine, MSHA ID No. 05-03836, located in Routt 
County, Colorado.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1002(a) (Installation of electrical 
equipment and conductors; permissibility).
     Docket Number: M-2023-025-C.
    FR Notice: 89 FR 7413 (02/02/2024).
    Petitioner: Panther Creek Mining, LLC, 903 Dawes Hollow, Dawes, 
West Virginia 25054.
    Mine: Winchester 2 Mine, MSHA ID No. 46-09615, located in Kanawha 
County, West Virginia.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.500(d) (Permissible electric 
equipment).
     Docket Number: M-2023-026-C.
    FR Notice: 89 FR 7415 (02/02/2024).
    Petitioner: Panther Creek Mining, LLC, 903 Dawes Hollow, Dawes, 
West Virginia 25054.
    Mine: Winchester 2 Mine, MSHA ID No. 46-09615, located in Kanawha 
County, West Virginia.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.507-1(a) (Electric equipment other 
than power-connection points; outby the last open crosscut; return air; 
permissibility requirements).

Song-ae Aromie Noe,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 2025-01397 Filed 1-21-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4520-43-P
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