When in the judgment of the Governor there is an imminent threat of substantial interruption or there exists a substantial interruption of the public uses, he shall proclaim that an emergency exists in this Commonwealth endangering the welfare, health and safety of its people and the enjoyment of the public and private property within its borders, and it shall be the duty of the Governor to forthwith seize and operate the property of any person used in the mining, production and marketing of coal that he deems essential for the protection of the welfare, health and safety of the people of Virginia.

History

Code 1950, § 45-147; 1950, p. 30; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-147; 1994, c. 28.