Capito Statement on Upper Big Branch Disaster Report
Press Release
Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., co-founder of the Congressional Coal Caucus, released the following statement in response to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) new internal report about the Upper Big Branch Mine Explosion:
Capito will attend an official briefing for House Members and staff concerning this report on Thursday.
"This internal report is most upsetting because it identifies areas and instances where MSHA did not do their job thoroughly and properly. Our miners and their families deserve to know that they are working in the safest environment possible, and MSHA is supposed to be there to support this goal. MSHA must seriously review all of the issues raised in this report and make any necessary changes to ensure proper oversight is always conduced.
"The mining industry is an indispensible part of our state both economically and culturally. For generations, our friends and family have worked in the mines, and we take great pride in knowing that their hard work helps power America. When tragedy strikes and miners are killed, it truly affects us all. Mining is a tough and often dangerous profession; however there is no reason for any miner to be unnecessarily put in excessively dangerous situations. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure laws and rules allow for the safest work environment possible."
BACKGROUND
Last December, Capito introduced H.R 3697, the "Mine Safety Accountability and Improved Protection Act." Capito's legislation seeks to streamline the conference and appeals process, improve implementation of mine safety and health regulation, hold violators accountable by increasing penalties--both financial and criminal--for violations of the law, all with the end goal of creating a safer working environment for our miners.
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.
Source