Agency 25. Department of Energy [Details]

• Library: Virginia Administrative Code
• Edition: 2023
• Currency: Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 9, December 18, 2023
• Year: 2023

AGENCY SUMMARY

The Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy is authorized to promulgate regulations necessary or incidental to the performance of duties or execution of powers conferred under Title 45.1 of the Code of Virginia in the chapters and articles indicated. Such regulations may be promulgated by the department, the Chief of the Division of Mines of the department, the Virginia Gas and Oil Board or the Director of the department, as appropriate, or with the approval of the director, may be promulgated by any division of the department with respect to matters assigned to that division. Code of Virginia, Title 45.1, Chapters 14.1, 14.2, and 22.1.

DIVISION OF MINES

The department, through its Division of Mines, is authorized to prescribe health and safety standards for mining of coal pursuant to the following articles of Chapter 14.2 of Title 45.1 of the Code of Virginia. With regard to regulations governing coal mines, the department uses the Virginia Coal Mine Safety Board as a regulatory work committee. Article 10. The Board of Coal Mining Examiners may require certification by examination of persons who work in coal mines. Article 3. The department is required to license the operation of commercial coal mines. Article 5. It may also operate coal mine rescue and first-aid stations, and train miner crews therefor. The department, upon request, may designate two or more private mine rescue teams as "state-designated mine rescue teams." Articles 6 and 11. The department is required to inspect coal mines (Article 8); investigate explosions, fires and accidents (Article 7); and close coal mines pending noncompliance in certain circumstances (Article 9). Coal mine operators are required to make various filings with the department. Articles 5, 7, 8, and 9.

DIVISION OF MINERAL MINING

The department, through its Division of Mineral Mining, is authorized to prescribe health and safety standards for mining of minerals pursuant to the following articles of Chapter 14.4:1 of Title 45.1 of the Code of Virginia. The department may require certification by examination of persons who work in mineral mines. Article 3. The department is required to license the operation of commercial mineral mines. Article 4. It may operate mineral mine rescue and first-aid stations, and train miner crews therefor. Articles 5 and 9. The department, upon request, may...