West Virginia Blue
The Best Blogging Community in West Virginia Democratic politics, progressive policies, the good life and free living in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia.
The Washington Post details efforts by President Obama to make coal mining safer for the workers and the ways mine owners are trying to circumvent the measures:
With memories of the nation's worst coal mining accident still fresh - 29 miners died at the Upper Big Branch site in West Virginia in April - the administration is challenging coal companies to either change their tactics and voluntarily improve safety or face the harshest sanctions the government can impose.
The new push to strengthen enforcement is already encountering resistance, according to longtime watchers of the coal industry, as companies employ the same legal and political strategies they've honed over decades to block federal reforms.
U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D) voted for the Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Act. Republican Rep. Shelley Moore Capito voted against it. The mine safety bill is stalled in Congress, but we see who wants to protect the lives and health of the workers and who doesn't.
Copyright 2011 West Virginia Blue
Site content may be used for any purpose without explicit permission unless otherwise specified.
This site exists thanks to financial support from BlogPAC, dedicated volunteers and participation by members of this community. The views expressed at West Virginia Blue belong solely to their respective authors.
