Rockefeller (D-WV) Sends President Letter on Mine Safety

[Omaha Steve]

Source: The State Journal (West Virginia Media)

The letter asks immediate mine safety action.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Senator Jay Rockefeller, Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, sent a letter to President Obama detailing suggestions, made by witnesses at a field hearing in Beckley on May 24, to improve mine safety across the state of West Virginia and in all U.S. coal mines.

Rockefeller has been following the Upper Big Branch mine disaster investigation closely and will play a key role in crafting the next phase of mine safety legislation. He has already started legislative work by authoring an amendment that was included as part of the Senate jobs bill, which will help more of our coal companies qualify for mine safety tax credits.

Below is Senator Rockefeller’s letter to the President:

Dear Mr. President,

This week, I joined the House Education and Labor Committee and other members of West Virginia’s Congressional delegation at a field hearing in Beckley, West Virginia, to discuss mine safety in the aftermath of the explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine. I was profoundly inspired, once again, by the heart-wrenching impact of this disaster on the families and the community, as well as by the witnesses’ courage in coming forward to tell Congress and the nation about their personal experiences. The testimony we heard and the proposals we received reflect an overarching and immediate call to action for industry, West Virginia, and the nation.

At Monday’s hearing, Secretary Solis and Assistant Secretary Main joined us in listening to the family and friends of some of our fallen miners speak about how this tragedy has forever changed their lives. Despite their grief and heartbreak, each family represented at the hearing expressed a strong resolve and determination to put measures in place to prevent tragedies like this one from happening in the future. Their input is especially important because, as I mentioned at the hearing, they are the real experts. These families live in the coalfields of West Virginia and, in many cases, have worked underground for decades. Along with West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin, they shared several proposals about how we can best improve regulatory compliance and working conditions in our nation’s coal mines, and I wanted to immediately share with you their recommendations, including:

Read more: http://www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=80633

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FULL letter at link.

[Hubert Flottz]

1. K&R