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By Bob Weaver
In a surprising turn against King Coal, the bill to increase weight limits on coal trucks
from 65,000 to 120,000 pounds has failed to pass the West Virginia Legislature by a
48-47 roll call vote in the House.
The vote was actually on an amendment by Delegate Mike Caputo, D-Marion, which
called for an 80,000 pound limit. The vote was a major set-back for the coal industry,
generally acknowledged by West Virginia politicians.
Calhoun-Clay-Gilmer Democrat Delegate Bill Stemple voted against Caputo's
amendment, meaning he supports the increased limits. Roane's Republican Delegate
Bob Ashley and Braxton's Democrat Delegate Brent Boggs voted for the
amendment, indicating they are against increased weight limits.
The coal industry continues to extract record amounts from the state with a fraction
of the workforce once used. The industry has been running coal illegally for many
years, and claims they will go out of business. During a period of recent enforcement,
the trucks were carrying 150,000 to 160,000 pounds.
More than a dozen people have been killed in accidents involving the monster trucks
in the past 18 months.
The industry is expected to repeat history by closing operations and laying off
workers, a practice they have followed when threatened by legislation which hurts
corporate profits.
The legislature, after a four day special session, decided not to continue the weight
limit battle, and adjourned without a decision. "It's the status quo for now," said
Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin D-Logan.
The legislature failed to come to grips with overweight trucks during the regular
session and Governor Bob Wise appointed a group to study the matter. The
committee, which met these past few months, recommended weight limits be raised
to 120,000 pounds.
A lobbyist against legalizing the huge haulers, said "I suppose they will keep having
special sessions until they win."
The Coal lobby will try and convince house and senate members to go back to the
board to get the bill passed later. Truman Chafin, D-Mingo, the Senate Majority
Leader, said "I don't think it's over, we just need to regroup and see how we're going
to address the issue."
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