When in the judgment of the Governor there exists a substantial interruption or an imminent threat of a substantial interruption of public uses, he shall proclaim that an emergency exists in the Commonwealth that endangers the health, safety, and welfare of its people and the enjoyment of the public and private property within its borders. It shall then be the duty of the Governor to seize and operate the property of any person used in the mining, production, or marketing of coal that the Governor deems essential for the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the people of the Commonwealth.
Code 1950, § 45-147; 1950, p. 30; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-147; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.314; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy
Chapter 6 - Coal Mining Property, Interests, Adjacent Owners, and Dams
§ 45.2-600. Consent required before working mine near land of another
§ 45.2-601. Adjacent owner to be permitted to survey mine; proceedings to compel entry for survey
§ 45.2-602. Petition to establish a trust for missing coal owners
§ 45.2-603. Advertisement upon filing of petition
§ 45.2-604. Court may declare trust; trustee sale of lease
§ 45.2-605. Duty of trustee; sale of lease; distribution of funds
§ 45.2-606. Payment of attorney fees, expenses, and court costs
§ 45.2-609. Interruption of public uses; proclamation of emergency; seizure
§ 45.2-610. Additional powers of Governor to operate seized properties
§ 45.2-612. Negotiating purchase or lease of coal properties
§ 45.2-613. Proceedings for condemnation
§ 45.2-614. Expense of acquiring and operating coal property; funds derived from operation
§ 45.2-615. Restoration of property to owner or operator