West Virginia Lawmakers Seek Answers on MSHA Office Closures and Davis‑Bacon Wage Determinations

Chairman Capito raised concerns about Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) field office closures that constituents reported in Summersville, Mount Hope and Welch, West Virginia, and asked whether the closures would reduce mine inspections. "I'm really concerned because I'm hearing from my constituents that MSHA offices in West Virginia are closing," Capito said.

Secretary Chavez de Reamer said she was working with the General Services Administration on leases and advocating to keep MSHA offices open. "As far as it relates to the MSHA offices, we're working with GSA... I will give you that updated list, but it is to keep those offices open and retain those leases," she told the committee.

Capito also raised problems with Davis‑Bacon prevailing wage determinations published without commonly used job classifications, which West Virginia Department of Transportation officials say has delayed advertising and awarding highway construction projects. Capito asked the secretary to continue working with Wage and Hour staff and West Virginia DOT to resolve the issue; the secretary agreed to do so.

Capito emphasized the operational and safety risks created by reduced local MSHA presence and asked the department to keep the matter "front and center" as it works with GSA and its enforcement offices.

The secretary committed to follow up with an updated list of affected MSHA offices and to continue discussing prevailing‑wage determinations with Wage and Hour Division staff and state transportation officials.