LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - A federal oversight report shows that 87.7 percent of the surface mining inspections required last year in Kentucky were completed, up from 83 percent in the three previous years but down from the state's historic rate of 98 percent.
The U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement report also showed the coal industry's compliance with environmental standards was 70 percent. The Lexington Herald-Leader (http://bit.ly/SwtDo9 ) reports that figure was also better than the previous fiscal year but still near a two-decade low.
Natural Resources Commissioner Steve Hohmann says the main reason for the increase in inspection frequency was a "concentrated emphasis" on completing more inspections. He also said the frequency improved to 99 percent in the most recent full quarter, just after the period covered by the report.
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Information from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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