The Trump administration has issued new rules to strip power from district mine safety officials while it seeks to ramp up coal production. Some warn the revisions will make mining more dangerous, while industry says it makes enforcement more consistent.

Mining companies are required to develop unique safety plans at each site around things like ventilating explosive gases and dust, safety training for miners and ensuring roof supports to prevent cave-ins.

Those plans go through a district manager for the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) for approval. During that process, the district manager can require mines to develop extra precautions based on that mine’s conditions.

It’s been that way for nearly 50 years after Congress passed a series of mine safety laws.

Now,

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