Federal judge rejects coal company’s Illinois lawsuit alleging MSHA quotas, abusive monitoring
By APTuesday, February 23, 2010
Judge rejects coal company’s Ill. lawsuit vs. MHSA
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — A federal judge is giving a coal company a second chance to make its case that federal inspectors are issuing citations according to quotas and are engaging in abusive monitoring.
U.S. District Judge Michael Reagan has thrown out American Coal Co.’s November 2008 lawsuit against the U.S. Labor Department’s Mine Safety and Health Administration.
American Coal claims the supposed quota system could force it to shut down its Galatia operation in southern Illinois.
Reagan’s ruling Friday states that he believes the company’s allegations could merit some sort of court intervention. He has given the company until March 4 to make a better argument in a refiled complaint.
Attorneys for MSHA and American Coal haven’t returned calls seeking comment.
