Mine Safety Legislation Signed Into Law

Press Release

Mine Safety Legislation Signed Into Law

President George W. Bush today signed into law comprehensive mine-safety legislation that provides critically needed protections for miners and strengthens the federal government's ability to enforce safety regulations.

U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05), a strong proponent of the mining legislation, attended the official bill signing ceremony in Washington.

"It is impossible to make coal mining completely risk free but there are certainly protections we can put in place to make mining safer," said Rogers. "This legislation updates our decades old mining laws and reaffirms our commitment to ensuring that miners have the proper training, rescue equipment, communications devices, and evacuation plans in place should an accident occur. This bill also strengthens the federal government's ability to vigorously investigate and prosecute negligent coal operators and those putting our miner's lives in danger."

Rogers added, "This legislation honors the 17,000 hard-working coal miners in Kentucky who bravely travel into the heart of the earth to put bread on the table and to bring light into the lives of all Americans. It is backbreaking work; a type of labor that most of us cannot fully comprehend, let alone have the strength to endure. My hat humbly goes off to all of our miners. They are heroes in the hills and hollows of our beloved eastern Kentucky."

Called the MINER ACT, the bill signed into law by the President requires additional oxygen supplies for miners underground, gives the federal government the power to close mines that violate safety orders, and boosts penalties to a maximum of $250,000.

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