DOGE targets federal mine safety offices for closure in Kentucky. Some are still open
The Department of Government Efficiency has targeted seven Kentucky mine safety offices for possible closure, according to the DOGE website.
On Monday afternoon, the website listed U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety Health Administration office leases in Madisonville, Barbourville, Beaver Dam, London, Hazard, Harlan and Prestonsburg as terminated.
A Mine Safety Health Administration spokesperson referred questions about the termination of the leases to a spokesperson for the Government Services Administration, which oversees all government leases and federal property.
The GSA did not immediately respond to an email from the Herald-Leader.
There have been recent instances, including one in Kentucky, where offices were listed for closure on the DOGE website and the decision to close the office was reversed.
What does MSHA do?
MSHA offices and staff are tasked with keeping miners and mines safe.
Among other duties, “MSHA is required to inspect each underground mine four times a year and each surface mine twice a year for health and safety compliance. Certain mines with high levels of explosive or toxic gasses are inspected more often. Inspections are also conducted in response to complaints of hazardous conditions,” according to its website.
Also on DOGE’s list for lease termination is an Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Lexington location. The address for that office is not listed.
Woodford Webb, of The Webb Companies, which has the lease for the Lexington mine office location on Regency Road said the General Services Administration has not told the company the lease for the office has been terminated.
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement oversees surface mining and surface mine reclamation among other duties.
Officials with the federal office said the Lexington office was open.
“The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement is committed to upholding its mission of protecting people and the environment from the adverse impacts of coal mining while balancing the need for energy. OSMRE offices remain open and continue to provide services. “
The statement said the Department of Interior, which houses the office, is working with the General Services Administration to ensure it has adequate office space.
“The Department of the Interior is working with GSA to ensure facilities or alternative options will be available for the continued delivery of Interior services as we embrace new opportunities for optimization and innovation in workforce management.”
DOGE terminating leases in Kentucky, across the country
DOGE has claimed the termination of various office leases across the country has saved taxpayers north of $660 million.
The slashing of government office space is part of a much broader effort to cut federal government spending.
But DOGE’s list of offices to be shuttered has created confusion and in one Kentucky case, a reversal.
A social security office in Campbellsville was slated to be closed but the Government Services Administration later reversed its decision and it will remain open, according to a spokesperson for the landlord.
Other offices to be closed according to DOGE include the London location of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Other Kentucky offices to be closed
Other agencies and locations of offices to be closed include:
- A Small Business Administration office in Lexington
- A Farm Services Agency in Lexington
- Social Security hearing office in Hazard
- Social Security hearing office in Campbellsville
- IRS office in Paducah
- IRS office in Owensboro
- IRS office in Bowling Green
- IRS office in Hopkinsville
- Two offices in Louisville (unclear which agency)
This story was originally published March 3, 2025 at 5:23 PM.
