John Sullivan has served as an Attorney-Advisor at the Commission since 1996. He has provided counsel to five Commission chairs and has represented the Commission before the Courts of Appeals.
Michael Young has served the Commission since 2003 in the capacities of Commissioner and as an Attorney-Advisor. He has twice led the Commission as Acting-Chair.
On January 21, 2021, the Commission issued its decision in Northshore Mining Company, Docket No. LAKE 2017-0248 et al.
In view of the risks presented by the novel coronavirus COVID-19, the Commission’s Office of the Chief Administrative Law Judge (“OCALJ”) is, effective December 9, 2020, suspending all in-person hearings, settlement judge conferences, and mediations until May 31, 2021.
At the discretion of the presiding administrative law judge and in coordination with the parties, hearings may proceed by videoconference or by telephone. Similarly, settlement judge conferences and mediations may be held by videoconference or by telephone. If the parties agree that an evidentiary hearing is not needed, cases may also be presented for a decision on the record.
The parties will be notified if the hearing needs to be rescheduled. OCALJ will reassess the risks presented by in-person hearings prior to May 31, 2021, and issue a subsequent order informing the public as to whether the suspension of in-person hearings will continue.
The presiding administrative law judge may be contacted with questions regarding this notice.
On a temporary basis, the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission will be sending most issuances through electronic mail and will not be monitoring incoming physical mail or facsimile transmissions.
Michael J. Chirico of Huntington, West Virginia was sworn in Monday, November 9th as the new Government Liaison and Policy Advisor of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission. Immediately prior to this position, Michael served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Counsel to Congresswoman Carol D. Miller (WV-3). Prior to that, he was Chief of Staff to Congressman Evan H. Jenkins (WV-3).
The Commission published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register. The notice is available at www.fmshrc.gov/content/changes-procedural-rules
Written and electronic comments regarding the proposed rules must be submitted on or before December 7, 2020.
Written comments should be mailed to Michael A. McCord, General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel, Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, 1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 520N, Washington, DC 20004–1710.
Electronic comments should state ‘‘Comments on Procedural Rules’’ in the subject line and be sent to RulesComments@fmshrc.gov.
For further information contact Sarah Stewart, Deputy General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel, Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, at (202) 434–9935.
Glynn F. Voisin, Chief Administrative Law Judge:
In view of the risks presented by the novel coronavirus COVID-19, the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, Office of the Chief Administrative Law Judge (OCALJ) is, effective immediately, suspending all in-person hearings, settlement judge conferences and mediations until January 1, 2021.
At the discretion of the presiding administrative law judge and in coordination with the parties, hearings may proceed by videoconference or by telephone. Similarly, settlement judge conferences and mediations may be held by videoconference or by telephone. If the parties agree that an evidentiary hearing is not needed, cases may also be presented for a decision on the record.
The parties will be notified if the hearing needs to be rescheduled. OCALJ will reassess the risks presented by in-person hearings prior to January 1, 2021, and issue a subsequent order informing the public as to whether the suspension of in-person hearings will continue.
If you have any questions with regard to the notice, please contact the presiding administrative law judge.
SO ORDERED
Through January 1, 2021, case issuances of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (FMSHRC), including inter alia notices, decisions, and orders, will be sent only through electronic mail. This includes notices, decisions, and orders described in 29 CFR 2700.4(b)(1), 2700.24(f)(1), 2700.45(e)(3), 2700.54, and 2700.66(a). Further, FMSHRC will not be monitoring incoming physical mail or facsimile described in Procedural Rule 2700.5(c)(2). If possible, all filings should be e-filed as described in 29 CFR 2700.5(c)(1).
Please save the date and join us in an online celebration of life.
July 11th at 11am MDT.
