West Virginia diesel regulations: A model for the coal industry

摘要

In 1997, the Governor of West Virginia established the W.V Diesel Equipment Commission comprising three representatives from the coal industry and three representatives from the United Mine Workers Association (UMWA). They were responsible for writing safe and cost-effective regulations for the use of diesel engines in the W.V coalmines. The state also provided funds for laboratory testing of most commonly used diesel engines with permissible and non-permissible after-treatment devices. After seven years of data gathering and analysis of federal and other state's diesel regulations, the final draft of W.V Diesel Regulations was unanimously approved by the Commission in 2004. The proposed regulations were approved by W.V legislature and they became immediately effective as title 196, Series 1 of W.V Underground Mine Laws and Regulations. W.V Diesel Regulations advocate the use of clean engines, clean fuels and engineered after- treatment systems to achieve; (a) an ambient diesel particulate matter concentration of 120 microgram/m~3 with nameplate ventilation and, (b) a carbon monoxide concentration of 100 ppm in the tail pipe. Great emphasis is placed on maintenance of engines and training of operators of diesel engines. The W.V. Diesel Regulations provide maximum safety for mine workers in a cost-effective manner and as such, they may serve as a model for the entire U.S. coal industry.