fires or explosions, and neglected to
properly ventilate the mine of hazardous
and explosive gases. Freedom Energy
Mine No. 1 is located in a coal seam that
emits excessive amounts of methane and
is prone to roof collapses—there have
been six major roof falls in the mine
since Aug. 11, 2010.
MSHA issued 1,952 citations and 81
orders during eight standard inspections
between July 2008 and July 2010. If the
court grants MSHA’s motion, Freedom
Energy will be forced to temporarily close
its mine until it fixes all dangerous conditions and institutes an MSHA-approved
health and safety management program.
To read the MSHA press release, visit
www.msha.gov/MEDIA/PRESS/2010/NR1
01103.pdf.
EPA Issues Pollution Permitting
Guidance
New tools made available by EPA in
November are intended to help state and
local air permitting authorities identify
cost-effective pollution reduction op-
tions for greenhouse gases (GHGs) under
the Clean Air Act, the agency stated in a
press release.
The guidance does not define or require a specific control option for a particular type of source because BACT is
determined on a case-by-case basis. Instead, the guidance and resources provide the basic information that permit
writers and applicants need to address
GHGs. The guidance also provides examples of how permitting requirements
could apply.
In January 2011, industries that are
large emitters of GHGs, and are planning
to build new facilities or make major
modifications to existing ones, will work
with permitting authorities to identify
and implement BACT to minimize their
GHGs. This includes the nation’s largest
GHG emitters, such as power plants, refineries and cement production facilities.
Emissions from small sources, such as
farms and restaurants, are not covered
by these GHG permitting requirements.
Information about EPA’s guidance is
available from www.epa.gov/nsr/ghg
permitting.html.
John Funk, a former Nevada Test Site worker who helped lead the fight for compensation for work-related illnesses, died Oct. 13 of complications from chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. (“Funk, advocate for ex-test site workers, dies at 69,” Oct. 29.)
Indiana OSHA was investigating the death of a 20-year-old student at the University of Notre Dame who died while filming a practice of the Notre Dame football
team when the scissor lift he was in tipped over from high winds. (“Declan Sullivan,
Notre Dame videographer dies in accident, OSHA launches probe,” Washington Post.)
The makers of Brazilian Blowout, a chemical hair-straightening treatment, stated
in November that they would initiate legal action against Oregon OSHA following
an agency alert that said the treatment contains dangerous amounts of formaldehyde. (“Brazilian Blowout Formally Initiates Legal Proceedings Against Oregon
OSHA,” www.sys-con.com.)
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin called for an EPA probe of toxic diesel pollution in
Chicago’s two major rail stations and inside the cars that carry commuters. In November, the Chicago Tribune reported that riders on the city’s Metra transit system
were exposed to levels of diesel soot up to 72 times higher than on the streets outside the system. (“Metra riders subjected to high amounts of diesel soot,”
www.chicagotribune.com.)
Britain’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports 152 worker deaths in 2009-
2010, a rate of 0.5 fatalities per 100,000 workers. (“The Health and Safety Executive
Statistics 2009/10,” www.hse.gov.uk.)
Employees of Ames Laboratory from 1955 through 1960 who developed cancer
were granted compensation by the U.S. Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker
Health. Ames Lab, a Department of Energy facility, was the site of secret research
with radioactive materials, including uranium. (“Ames Lab uranium cause of cancer
in workers; compensation claims approved,” Iowa State Daily.)
