Public Comment

From: usacitizen1 usacitizen1 [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, August 22, 2011 3:44 PM
To: Alvarez, Vincent T - OWCP; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: PUBLIC COMMENTON FEDERARL REGISTER FW: coal mining operators shoudl not be allowed to be self insured -they file for bankruptcy and leave taxpayers to clean up their mess

I DO NOT BELIEVE COAL MINING PROFITEERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED AT ANY TIME TO SELF INSURE. THESE PROFITEERS HAVE A PATTERN OF WHEN COSTS COME, THEY FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY, LEAVING TAXPAYERS TO BE TAXED TO PAY FOR THEIR LIABILITIES. THEY AVOID COSTS. THEY PURPOSELY SIGN ANYTHING AT ALL SAYING THEY WILL PAY, BUT THEN CLAIM BANKRUPTCY ANDINABILITY TO PAY. IT IS TIME FOR THE TAPAYERS OF THIS COUNTRY TO BE PROTECTED, NOT THE COAL MINERS, WHO HAVE MADE OUT VERY WELL IN AMERICA OVER THE LST 100 YEARS. IT IS TIME FOR HTIS AGENCY TO BE FULLY PROTECTING TAXPAYERS FROM THE RAMPANG SCAMMING GOING ON BY COAL MINE PROFITERS. TAXPAYERS ARE SICK AND TIRED OF HAVING HUGE BILLS LEFT BY PROFITEERS LIKE THIS. STOP ALLOWING SELF INSURANCE. MAKE SURE THAT UP FRONT MONEY IS PUT ASIDE BY THESE PROFITEERES TO COVER ALL POSSIBLE COSTS, BASED ON WHAT HAPPENED IN COSTS THE LAST TIME AN ACCIDENT HAPPENED.JEAN PUBLIC ADDRESS IF REQUIRED

Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2011 06:27:22 -0700
From: [email protected]
Subject: coal mining operators shoudl not be allowed to be self insured -they file for bankruptcy and leave taxpayers to clean up their mess
To: [email protected]

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 162 (Monday, August 22, 2011)]

[Notices]

[Page 52352]

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[FR Doc No: 2011-21382]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs

Proposed Renewal of Existing Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to

reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance

consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies

with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing

collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction

Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to

ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format,

reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized,

collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of

collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.

Currently, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs is soliciting

comments concerning the proposed collection: Agreement and Undertaking

(OWCP-1). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be

obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addresses section

of this Notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the

addresses section below on or before October 21, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Mr. Vincent Alvarez, U.S. Department of Labor, 200

Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone

(202) 693-0372, fax (202) 693-2447, E-mail [email protected].

Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or

E-mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

    I. Background: Coal mine operators desiring to be self-insurers are

required by law (30 U.S.C. 933 BL) to produce security by way of an

indemnity bond, security deposit, a letter of credit, or 501(c)(21)

trust. Once a company's application to become self-insured is reviewed

by the Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation (DCMWC) and it is

determined the company is potentially eligible, an amount of security

is determined to guarantee the payment of benefits required by the Act.

The OWCP-1 form is executed by the self-insurer who agrees to abide by

the Department's rules and authorizes the Secretary, in the event of

default, to file suit to secure payment from a bond underwriter or in

the case of a Federal Reserve account, to sell the securities for the

same purpose. A company cannot be authorized to self-insure until this

requirement is met. Regulations establishing this requirement are at 20

CFR 726.110 for Black Lung. This information collection is currently

approved for use through October 31, 2011.

    II. Review Focus: The Department of Labor is particularly

interested in comments which:

    * Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is

necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,

including whether the information will have practical utility;

    * Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of

the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the

methodology and assumptions used;

    * Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be

collected; and

    * Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who

are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated,

electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or

other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic

submissions of responses.

    III. Current Actions: The Department of Labor seeks the approval of

the extension of this currently approved information collection in

order to determine if a coal mine company is potentially eligible to

become self-insured. The information is reviewed to insure that the

correct amounts of negotiable securities are deposited or indemnity

bond is purchased and that in a case of default OWCP has the authority

to utilize the securities or bond. If this Agreement and Undertaking

were not required, OWCP would not be empowered to utilize the company's

security deposit to meet its financial responsibilities for the payment

of black lung benefits in case of default.

    Type of Review: Extension.

    Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.

    Title: Agreement and Undertaking.

    OMB Number: 1240-0039.

    Agency Number: OWCP-1.

    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit.

    Total Respondents: 20.

    Total Responses: 20.

    Time per Response: 15 minutes.

    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 5.

    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.

    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $9.

    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized

and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget

approval of the information collection request; they will also become a

matter of public record.

    Dated: August 17, 2011.

Vincent Alvarez,

Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs,

U.S. Department of Labor.

[FR Doc. 2011-21382 Filed 8-19-11; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-CR-P