2/18/2003

Coal Truck Bill Introduced

Staff 
State Capitol

An industry backed coal truck bill is on its way to the State Senate Mining Committee after being introduced in the Senate Monday.

The bill, supported by the West Virginia Coal Association, calls for coal truck weight limits to be increased to 120,000 with an opportunity for a variance. Trucks went have to undergo inspections and the heavier weights would only be allowed in 19 counties, most of them in southern West Virginia.

Fourteen of the 34 members of the Senate are sponsoring the legislation. It has a second committee reference to Finance following Mining Committee.

Coal Association President Bill Raney says the number of sponsors on the bill is important. He say senators recognize how important it is to have stability and predictability in the moving of coal.

Raney says, even though the issue was hotly debated last year in the House of Delegates, he believes there will be lots of discussion and debate on the bill. He is hopeful the Mining Committee will take it up at its meeting later this week.

The bill was introduced on the last day Senators can introduce bills this session. There are less than three weeks remaining in the regular session. 

This news story originally provided by WV Metro News

Mingo Families Stranded 

Staff 
Gilbert

Emergency crews in Mingo County say it's going to be two weeks before an access road can be built to reach 10 families stranded near Gilbert.

The families became stranded Sunday when an old coal slurry pond overflowed, sending black water into the Guyandotte River. The spill washed out approximately 500 feet the road leading to the houses.

Emergency officials are using four-wheelers to get as close as possible to the families to find out if they are okay.

Meanwhile, the Logan Public Service District continues to monitor the black water in the Guyandotte. Managing Engineer Rick Roberts says the slurry has arrived at both of the city's water treatment plants. He says no water has been pumped into the plants.