(a) The provisions of this article shall not apply to strip mines and auger mines operating from the surface.
(b) Injection of gas for storage purposes in any workable coal seam, whether or not such seam is being or has been mined, shall be prohibited. Nothing in this article shall be construed to prohibit the original extraction of natural gas, crude oil or coal. No storage operator shall have authority to appropriate any coal or coal measure whether or not being mined, or any interest therein.
Structure West Virginia Code
Chapter 22. Environmental Resources
Article 9. Underground Gas Storage Reservoirs
§22-9-2. Filing of Maps and Data by Persons Operating or Proposing to Operate Gas Storage Reservoirs
§22-9-3. Filing of Maps and Data by Persons Operating Coal Mines
§22-9-4. Notice by Persons Operating Coal Mines
§22-9-5. Obligations to Be Performed by Persons Operating Storage Reservoirs
§22-9-6. Inspection of Facilities and Records; Reliance on Maps; Burden of Proof
§22-9-9. Powers and Duties of Director