# 2026-23052: Coal-Mine Electrical Rules Get a Water-Table-Based Cleanup

2026-23052, Electrical Equipment for Coal Seams Above the Water Table, is a Federal Register rule from Labor Department, Mine Safety and Health Administration published 2026-11-12, effective 2026-12-14; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-11-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-23052
- As of: 2026-11-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-23052
- Title: Electrical Equipment for Coal Seams Above the Water Table
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Labor Department; Mine Safety and Health Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 72790
- Published: 2026-11-12
- Effective: 2026-12-14
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 1219-AC14
- Last updated: 2026-11-12

## In one line

Coal-Mine Electrical Rules Get a Water-Table-Based Cleanup

## Summary

Starting December 14, 2026, coal mines won’t have to follow special electrical equipment rules just for seams above the water table because all underground coal mines are now treated as gassy. This change affects mine operators by simplifying safety rules without cutting any protections or adding costs. It’s a smart cleanup that keeps miners safe while cutting unnecessary red tape.

## Abstract

MSHA is removing requirements for the use of permissible electric face equipment in coal seams above the water table. These requirements are being removed from MSHA's regulations because all coal mines are now considered gassy, regardless of location relative to the water table.

## Effects PRIA read

- Removal of special electrical rules for coal seams: benefit, low. Starting December 14, 2026, MSHA is removing and reserving 30 CFR 75.501, 75.501-1, 75.501-2, 75.501-3, and 75.502, which contained special requirements for permissible electric face equipment in coal seams above the water table. MSHA states that all underground coal mines are now considered gassy…
- Miner safety protections remain unchanged: benefit, low. MSHA states that removing the rules for seams above the water table will not reduce protections afforded to miners because permissibility requirements for electric equipment are already covered elsewhere in 30 CFR part 75. The agency finalized the change noting it does not make any impact on miner…
- MSHA certifies minimal small-entity economic impact: benefit, low. MSHA certifies under the Regulatory Flexibility Act that this final rule "will not have a 'significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities'" and will transmit that certification to the Small Business Administration. The agency also states the rule will not impose new informati…

## Related documents

- [2026-15717](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-15717): Ventilation Plan Approval Criteria, 2026-08-03
- [2026-15670](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-15670): Roof Control Plan Approval Criteria, 2026-08-03
- [2026-10456](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-10456): Department of Labor Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Annual Adjustments for 2026, 2026-05-27
- [2025-12232](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-12232): Ventilation Plan Approval Criteria, 2025-07-01
- [2026-23051](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-23051): Improving and Eliminating Regulations; Installation of Foam Generator Systems in Underground Coal Mines, 2026-11-12
- [2026-23053](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-23053): Mining of Pillars, 2026-11-12

## Sources
- [2026-23052 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/11/12/2026-23052/electrical-equipment-for-coal-seams-above-the-water-table)
- [2026-23052 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-11-12/pdf/2026-23052.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-23051, Improving and Eliminating Regulations; Installation of Foam Generator Systems i…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-23051)
- [Next: 2026-23053, Mining of Pillars](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-23053)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-23052 (as of 2026-11-12).