Rayne Energy Incorporated (ALJ decision, April 29, 1999)

Plain-English summary

The Secretary of Labor submitted a settlement motion in a civil penalty case against Rayne Energy Incorporated at the Rayne No. 1 mine. Chief Administrative Law Judge Paul Merlin found that the motion was signed and filed by an individual who was not authorized to practice before the Commission in that capacity. He disapproved the settlement motion and ordered the parties to resubmit it within 30 days with a signature from an attorney in the Office of the Solicitor.

Decision snapshot

• Governing authority: 30 C.F.R. § 2700.6; 30 U.S.C. § 815(d)
• Outcome: The settlement motion was disapproved and ordered resubmitted with an authorized attorney's signature.
• Key point: A settlement motion must be filed by a person authorized to practice before the Commission.

Full text (FMSHRC public release)

FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION 1730 K STREET, N.W. 6TH FLOOR
WASHINGTON D.C. 20006-3868

April 29, 1999

SECRETARY OF LABOR, : CIVIL PENALTY PROCEEDING
MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH
:
ADMINISTRATION (MSHA), : Docket No. PENN 99-77
Petitioner : A. C. No. 36-00930-03603
:
v. :
RAYNE ENERGY INCORPORATED, : Rayne No. 1
Respondent
:

DECISION DISAPPROVING SETTLEMENT
ORDER TO RESUBMIT SETTLEMENT MOTION

Before: Judge Merlin

This case is before me upon a petition for assessment of civil penalties under section 105(d) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. On March 15, 1999, I issued a prehearing order directing the parties to discuss settlement. On April 12, 1999, a settlement motion was filed by the Secretary.

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Paul Merlin
Chief Administrative Law Judge

Distribution: (Certified Mail)

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B. Anne Gwynn, Esq., Office of the Solicitor, U. S. Department of Labor, 3535 Market Street,
Gateway Building, Room 14480, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Joseph A. Yuhas, Esq., Rayne Energy Inc., P. O. Box 25, Barnesboro, PA 15714

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