Powerful WV US Senator, Jay Rockefeller, was just on TV pledging to come down hard on Massey Energy

[Stinky The Clown]

Hey Jay, where were you when they were violating laws and killing miners for the last millennium? How much have they contributed to your campaign? Suddenly, as TWENTY FIVE of your constituents are dead, there you are. Johnny On The Spot?

Jay, have you ever met Don Blankenship? Have dinner with him? Maybe play golf? You're a golfer, right? Did you ever cash a check from him? Maybe more than one? Come on, Jay, you can share with us; how well do you know Don?

Maybe you can ask your senior Senator the same sorts of questions.

[gratuitous]

1. Pardon my skepticism, but . . .

That will be the day.

[rcrush]

2. He's a Rockefeller

Of course he did.

[karynnj]

15. So, that makes him guilty .....

No need to look at his record?

[RKP5637]

3. They always appear, don't they, when stuff comes out and it's an opportunity for their

benefit... so true, where are they the rest of the time, years, when the crap goes on day by day... money and contributions buy ignorance to the fact. And the SC is now so helpful with corporate personhood for contributions. What a bunch of crap... Congress is now just another monopolistic corporation IMO.

[Stinky The Clown]

6. There really is little left to believe in, isn't there?

Maybe all this knowledge is a bad thing. It causes us to see that The Emperor and every one of The Emperor's colleagues are buck fucking naked.

[RKP5637]

14. Yeah, in the old days it was hidden. I guess the old saying goes, ignorance is bliss. n/t

[Bitwit1234]

4. When he is indicted for murder, then I'll be impressed.

[Stinky The Clown]

7. When who is indicted?

Don or Jay?

[Stinky The Clown]

5. I see the Defenders of Corruption are working to keep this off the greatest page.

You, too, may bite me.

[karynnj]

17. It might be people who see that you did not even attempt to get the facts

While I think it very likely that Rockefeller has defended the interests of the coal industry - and one place I see it is in his unwillingness to support any carbon reduction program that adversely affects coal - and all of them do and will, that is because he sees it as the interest of the people of his state.

Rockefeller was one of the people who called for a Senate investigation after the Sago mine disaster. That letter was sent to Senator Enzi, who then chaired the HELP committee which had jurisdiction. Hearings were held, legislation was written, which Rockefeller co-sponsored, and it was passed.

SUMMARY AS OF:
6/15/2006--Public Law. (There are 4 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on May 23, 2006. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 or the MINER Act - (Sec. 2) Amends the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to require underground coal mine operators to: (1) carry out continuously a program to improve accident preparedness and response at each mine; and (2) adopt and update accident response plan for evacuations and for maintenance of individuals trapped underground. Requires such a plan to provide for: (1) redundant means and local coordination of communication; (2) post-accident location of underground personnel; (3) emergency air supplies; (4) self-rescuer caches, maintenance, and replacement; (5) escapeways and flame-resistant directional lifelines; (6) emergency training; and (7) within three years, post accident wireless communication between underground and the surface and electronic tracking of trapped persons.

(Sec. 3) Declares that no one may bring an action against covered individuals or their regular employers for property damage or injury (or deaths) resulting from mine accident rescue operations, unless the damage or injury was the result of gross negligence, reckless conduct, or illegal conduct or where the regular employer is the operator of the mine where the rescue activity takes place. Defines "regular employer" to mean the entity that is the covered employee's legal or statutory employer pursuant to applicable state law.

(Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of Labor to require: (1) Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to establish and update criteria to certify the qualifications of mine rescue teams; and (2) mine operators to have one employee knowledgeable in emergency response on each shift and two certified mine rescue teams available at each mine within one hour.

(Sec. 5) Requires notification of a mine accident to be provided to the Secretary by the operator within 15 minutes of knowledge of a death or potentially fatal injury. Imposes a civil penalty upon operators who do not provide such notification.

(Sec. 6) Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to establish within the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) an Office of Mine Safety and Health to enhance the development of new mine safety technology and applications and to expedite the commercial availability and implementation of such technology. Authorizes the NIOSH Director to: (1) award competitive grants to institutions and private entities to encourage the development and manufacture of mine safety equipment; (2) award contracts to educational institutions or private laboratories for the performance of product testing or related work with respect to new mine technology and equipment; and (3) establish an interagency working group to share technology, research, and developments concerning mine safety and accident response. Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary to require: (1) the temporary assignment of a departmental official as a liaison with the families of victims of mine tragedies involving multiple deaths; and (2) MSHA to be as responsive as possible to family requests for information and to serve as the primary communicator.

(Sec. 8) Prescribes penalties for operator violations of health or safety standards or orders, including withdrawal orders.

(Sec. 9) Authorizes the Secretary to institute a civil action for relief when an operator violates orders or decisions issued under this Act.

(Sec. 10) Requires the Secretary to finalize mandatory health and safety standards relating to the sealing of abandoned areas in coal mines which shall increase the current 20 psi standard.

(Sec. 11) Establishes a Technical Study Panel to provide independent scientific review and recommendations regarding the use of belt air and the composition and fire retardant properties of belt materials in mines.

(Sec. 12) Requires the Secretary of Education to establish a program to provide scholarships to individuals to increase the skilled workforce for mine operators, mine safety inspectors, and other MSHA personnel. Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 13) Requires NIOSH to provide for research on various refuge alternatives in an underground coal mines.

(Sec. 14) Requires the Secretary of Labor to award Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants for education and training programs to better identify and prevent unsafe working conditions in and around mines. Authorizes appropriations.
MAJOR ACTIONS:

5/16/2006 Introduced in Senate
5/23/2006 Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Frist for Senator Enzi with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
5/24/2006 Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
6/7/2006 Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 381 - 37 (Roll no. 234).
6/7/2006 Cleared for White House.
6/8/2006 Presented to President.
6/15/2006 Signed by President.
6/15/2006 Became Public Law No: 109-236
12/6/2006 By Senator Enzi from Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions filed written report. Report No. 109-365.
ALL ACTIONS:

5/16/2006:
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4619)
5/16/2006:
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR 5/17/2006 S4707-4710)

5/17/2006:
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

5/23/2006:
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Frist for Senator Enzi with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
5/23/2006:
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 439.
5/24/2006:
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5045-5050; text as passed Senate: CR S5045-5048)
5/24/2006 12:45pm:
Received in the House.
5/24/2006:
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
5/24/2006:
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
6/7/2006 1:43pm:
Mr. McKeon moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
6/7/2006 1:43pm:
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3449-3458)
6/7/2006 1:43pm:
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2803.
6/7/2006 2:26pm:
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
6/7/2006 7:07pm:
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3480)
6/7/2006 7:14pm:
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 381 - 37 (Roll no. 234). (text: CR H3449-3452)
6/7/2006 7:14pm:
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6/7/2006:
Cleared for White House.
6/8/2006:
Presented to President.
6/15/2006:
Signed by President.
6/15/2006:
Became Public Law No: 109-236.
12/6/2006:
By Senator Enzi from Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions filed written report. Report No. 109-365.

TITLE(S): (italics indicate a title for a portion of a bill)

* POPULAR TITLE(S):
Coal Mine Safety bill (identified by CRS)

* SHORT TITLE(S) AS INTRODUCED:
Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006
MINER Act

* SHORT TITLE(S) AS REPORTED TO SENATE:
Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006
MINER Act

* SHORT TITLE(S) AS PASSED SENATE:
Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006
MINER Act

* SHORT TITLE(S) AS ENACTED:
Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006
MINER Act

* OFFICIAL TITLE AS INTRODUCED:
A bill to amend the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to improve the safety of mines and mining.

COSPONSORS(11), ALPHABETICAL : (Sort: by date)


Sen Bunning, Jim - 5/22/2006
Sen Byrd, Robert C. - 5/16/2006
Sen DeWine, Mike - 5/16/2006
Sen Isakson, Johnny - 5/16/2006
Sen Kennedy, Edward M. - 5/16/2006
Sen McConnell, Mitch - 5/22/2006
Sen Murray, Patty - 5/16/2006
Sen Obama, Barack - 5/23/2006
Sen Rockefeller, John D., IV - 5/16/2006
Sen Santorum, Rick - 5/16/2006
Sen Specter, Arlen - 5/19/2006

COMMITTEE(S):

Committee/Subcommittee: Activity:
Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Referral, Markup, Reporting
House Education and the Workforce Referral

RELATED BILL DETAILS: (additional related bills may be indentified in Status)

Bill: Relationship:
H.R.5432 Related bill identified by CRS
H.R.5481 Related bill identified by CRS

AMENDMENT(S):

***NONE***
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In addition, he cosponsored a Byrd amendment to provide tax incentives to buy more mine safety equipment - that passed by a voice vote:

S.AMDT.2728
Amends: H.R.4297 , S.AMDT.2707
Sponsor: Sen Byrd, Robert C. (submitted 2/2/2006) (proposed 2/2/2006)

AMENDMENT PURPOSE:
To provide tax incentives for the purchase of advanced mine safety equipment and the training of mine rescue teams, and for other purposes.

TEXT OF AMENDMENT AS SUBMITTED: CR S665-666

STATUS:

2/2/2006:
Amendment SA 2728 proposed by Senator Baucus for Senator Byrd to Amendment SA 2707. (consideration: CR S488-489; text: CR S488-489)
2/2/2006:
Amendment SA 2728 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

COSPONSORS(7):

Sen Rockefeller, John D., IV - 2/2/2006
Sen Santorum, Rick - 2/2/2006
Sen Kerry, John F. - 2/2/2006
Sen Durbin, Richard - 2/2/2006
Sen Obama, Barack - 2/2/2006
Sen McConnell, Mitch - 2/2/2006
Sen Bunning, Jim - 2/2/2006

If you remember the dysfunctional 109th Congress, he and Byrd did a great job in getting this done.

Now, as to Rockefeller getting money from him - you are just wrong - he gives just to Republicans.

Here's the records - back to 1992:

http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?city=Matewan&st=WV&last=Blankenship&first=Don
http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?city=Sprigg&st=WV&last=Blankenship&first=Don
http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?city=WILLIAMSON&st=WV&last=Blankenship&first=Don
(No contributions to Rockefeller)

I can understand the anger behind your rant, but it is poorly targeted. I would suggest that unless you have information that, in any way, Senator Rockefeller allowed Blackenship to get away with anything, then I suggest that your op absolutely does not deserve to be on the greatest page. It is smearing a Democrat. (It doesn't matter if he is not one of your favorites - he's not one of mine either - but this is just quilt by implied association because they are from the same state.

[Stinky The Clown]

18. See, here's the thing. He does good stuff *after* shit happens.

That's not unique to him.

[karynnj]

19. Yes and no

The bill that was written about 3 years ago was supposed to deal with many of the known problems that led to Sago. From some of the accounts on TV, this mine did have improvements that came from that bill, but obviously they were completely inadequate and likely standards were not enforced to the degree they should have been.

The real question will be whether the factors - especially the high methane levels - were in violation of the law. In that case, the problem was lack enforcement. That is outside Rockefeller's area, though of course, if his constituents knew the rules were not being enforced, he and Bryd are the people they could appeal to to push the issue with the appropriate person in the right federal government agency. (So, a second question would be if he ignore such complaints) The state also regulates the mines, but that does not diminish the federal responsibility.

So, here, the legislation after Sago was an attempt to avoid similar problems in the future. (and obviously it was after the Sago disaster.) From the huge number of violations, the question is whether the legislation should be tightened to close places that have more than a certain numbr of serious violations. ( My hope, that all of WV would disagree with, is that within a decade or so, coal mining becomes non-economic because it is so heavily penalized for its carbon emissions. )

[Petrushka]

22. I agree that Blankenship wouldn't make contributions to Rockefeller, a Democrat . . . but . . .

when you say "....this is just guilt by implied association because they are
from the same state.", you lose West Virginians who still see Rockefeller as a
carpetbagger whose dynastic Republican family stands behind his seat in the Senate.
Just more of that same ole "...just guilt by implied association."

:shrug:

[Better Today]

8. Five days late and 25 (or more) lives short. They should've been shut down before this happened.

I'd be way more impressed if he had said he pledged to give enforcement teeth MSHA so that no mines could continue to run while not meeting basic safety standards.

[Ikonoklast]

9. Massey and Blankenship both need to go on trial.

If Massey is now an entity with more rights than a human, which Blankenship is clearly NOT, then it needs to be hauled into court for negligent homicide.

But all that money Blankenship spent to buy silence in WV from all the pols and the courts will now be very useful.

[laughingliberal]

10. K & R nt

[librechik]

11. Criminal prosecution for wrongful death A MUST against Blankenship

can we summon the moral strength to do it? (doubt it, if the dozens of other Bushbama DOJ travesties are any indication)

[ThomWV]

12. Rockefeller has more money than Blankenship, so he'll win.

Because in America the only rule is the guy with most money always wins - always.

[karynnj]

13. From all accounts the owners contributed to Republicans - just republicans

in recent years.

Here's the records - back to 1992:

http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?city=Matewan&st=WV&last=Blankenship&first=Don
http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?city=Sprigg&st=WV&last=Blankenship&first=Don
http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?city=WILLIAMSON&st=WV&last=Blankenship&first=Don
(No contributions to Rockefeller)

[Petrushka]

16. K & R

[BlooInBloo]

20. Before or after they do happy hour together?

Just wanna keep my dayplanner straight.

[Captain Hilts]

21. WTF took him - and Byrd - so long?