The Technical Advisory Committee on Diesel-Powered Equipment (TAC) held a regularly scheduled meeting on August 13, 1999 at 10 a.m. at the Fayette County Health Center in Uniontown.

Attendance:

Members Present:

Eugene Davis
Robert DuBreucq

Others Present:

Richard E. Stickler, DEP, Bureau of Deep Mine Safety (BDMS)
Matthew A. Bertovich, DEP, Bureau of Deep Mine Safety
Joseph A. Sbaffoni, DEP, Bureau of Deep Mine Safety
Alan L. Martin, DEP, Bureau of Deep Mine Safety

Minutes of the January 22 meeting were approved as submitted.

Old Business:

Discussion on Brookville Mining Equipment’s request before the TAC to review test data from West Virginia University on the MWM Deutz 916-D Engine. The TAC agreed that data submitted to BDMS by Brookville on tests performed at Southwest Research Institute resolves this issue before them. A general discussion followed on the test results from Southwest Research Institute and testing protocol.

Gene Davis pointed out that the TAC approved an alternate emission test for the MWM-Deutz 916-D engine DST package. He wants to assure that according to Section 221(h) of the Act that the mines are aware of this alternate emission testing.

Rohmac’s application for the approval to use technology that meets the .12 ug/m³ emission requirement at less than 95% filter efficiency. The committee has not completed its review of the data. A meeting with concerned parties is being planned. The committee understands its responsibility to make a report to BDMS by September 18 on the Rohmac request.

Part 7 Ventilation standards and effects upon Act 182. BDMS had requested TAC to make recommendation on this issue. TAC recommended at the November 6, 1998, meeting that the Pennsylvania Coal Association (PCA) and United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) meet and develop a legislative solution. BDMS reported that a memorandum was sent to the Department’s legislative liaison describing this issue. Also, letters were sent to the PCA and UMWA offering assistance in resolving the issue. The TAC members feel that both the UMWA and PCA will be meeting in the near future to discuss this issue and also the 95% filter efficiency issue.

Gene Davis requested that BDMS obtain user subscriptions of an Internet website. This site contains much technical data that will be helpful to the TAC, as well as BDMS. BDMS will pursue this.

The TAC members’ term (3 years) will expire on April 17, 2000. Both members are interested in another term. BDMS will contact the appropriate organizational leaders advising them of this and to respond with their nominations.

The meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on October 20 at 10 a.m. in Uniontown.