CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Gov. Joe Manchin is asking more than 200 underground coal mines in West Virginia to cease production later this week to mourn 29 miners killed in an explosion.
Manchin wants the mines across the state to cease production Friday to mourn the victims of the nation’s worst coal mining disaster in 40 years.
The governor also signed an executive order Wednesday that tells state regulators to start inspecting mines immediately for combustion risks. Manchin wants inspectors to begin with mines that have repeatedly had combustion risks over the last year.
Manchin wants those high-priority mines inspected within two weeks. The order says inspectors who find safety risks or other health violations can order a mine partially evacuated or closed.
Highly explosive methane gas is believed to have played a role in the April 5 explosion at Upper Big Branch mine.
