Capito Introduces Alternative Mine Safety Bill

Press Release

In response to the tragic loss of 29 miners killed at the Upper Big Branch mine on April 5, 2010, Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va, today introduced H.R. 5788, the Mine Safety Accountability and Improved Protection Act.

Capito urges her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join together to honor America's fallen miners to pass this commonsense, effective bill in order to protect our miners from preventable disasters in the future.

On July 1, 2010, Rep. George Miller, D-CA, introduced the Democrats' version of a mine safety bill, H.R. 5663. Capito recently stated at a House Education and Labor Committee hearing that Mr. Miller's bill was a good starting point, but that sweeping regulatory reform does not automatically ensure miners' safety.

"We all agree that there are serious shortcomings in mine safety standards, but reforms must be carefully considered and effective if they are actually going to make the mines safer. We can't race to the finish line and risk missing important safety elements," stated Capito, co-founder of the Congressional Coal Caucus.

Capito proposes smart, incremental reforms that address all aspects of mine safety including streamlining the permit appeal process while keeping strict punitive measures, establishing a completely independent federal agency to investigate mining disasters, requiring that inspectors receive annual training, and encouraging a stronger work environment with safety at its core.

"My bill is neither a Democrat bill nor a Republican bill. Rather, it's a good faith effort to give everyone involved in mine safety, from inspectors to operators to the miners themselves, the resources they want, need and deserve to run a safe mine," concluded Capito.

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