Gov. Tomblin Establishes Oil and Gas Safety Panel

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West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has formed the West Virginia Commission on Oil and Natural Gas Industry Safety through an executive order. The commission will be chaired by the governor or his designee and includes secretaries of the departments of Environmental Protection, Commerce, Transportation, and Military Affairs and Public Safety. The commission also includes 10 industry and labor representatives and four legislators.

Members of the commission are charged with reviewing current federal and state oil and natural gas workplace safety regulations and provide recommendations for improving workplace safety in the oil and natural gas industry in West Virginia. The commission will issue its first report Nov. 16.

“As we continue to explore opportunities to diversify our state’s energy portfolio, we must ensure the safety of hardworking West Virginians at drilling sites, production facilities, and pipelines across the state,” Tomblin said. “This commission will help us determine how to best protect workers at natural gas operations while ensuring our workers have the proper training and skills to do their jobs in the safest, most effective way possible.”

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