Utah has vacancy for only coal mine safety post

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The only state official in charge of coal mine safety has left his job.

Garth Nielsen was the one-man Utah Office of Coal Mine Safety. He didn't have enforcement powers but was a clearinghouse for complaints about safety at Utah coal mines. He worked with federal regulators.

Nielsen left his job to take a position as general manager for a coal-transfer terminal near Price. Nielsen now works for Savage Coal Terminal.

Nielsen's state boss says he plans to find a replacement for the director of the office.

Peter Hackford heads up elevator, boiler and coal mine safety for the Utah Labor Commission. Hackford says the Labor Commission will fill the job despite budget cuts from the Utah Legislature.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)