U.S. Easing Fines for Mine Owners on Safety Flaws

[cal04]

In its drive to foster a more cooperative relationship with mining companies, the Bush administration has decreased major fines for safety violations since 2001, and in nearly half the cases, it has not collected the fines, according to a data analysis by The New York Times. Federal records also show that in the last two years the federal mine safety agency has failed to hand over any delinquent cases to the Treasury Department for further collection efforts, as is supposed to occur after 180 days.

With the deaths of 24 miners in accidents in 2006, the enforcement record of the Mine Safety and Health Administration has come under sharp scrutiny, and the agency is likely to face tough questions about its performance at a Senate oversight hearing on Thursday. "The Bush administration ushered in this desire to develop cooperative ties between regulators and the mining industry," said Tony Oppegard, a former top official at the agency. "Safety has certainly suffered as a result."

A spokesman for the agency, Dirk Fillpot, defended its record, pointing out that last year the coal industry had 22 fatalities, the lowest number in its history. "Safety is definitely improving," Mr. Fillpot said. A spokeswoman for the National Mining Association, Carol Raulston, agreed. "The agency realized in recent years that you can't browbeat operators into improved safety, and this general approach has worked," Ms. Raulston said. "The tragic events of this year have given everyone pause. But I don't think it means we want to abandon what we have found works."

Federal records show that fatalities across all types of mining have stayed relatively stable. In each of the last three years, 55 to 57 miners have died in all areas of mining. Experts say a long-term decline in coal mine fatalities is in part a result of growing mechanization. Mr. Fillpot also said delinquent cases had not moved to the Treasury Department since 2003 because of computer problems. He could not say when the problems would be corrected. "Referrals from M.S.H.A. to the Treasury Department have been impacted by technical issues on both ends, which we are working to resolve while maintaining an aggressive record on enforcement and collections," he said.


http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/02/national/02mine.html?hp&ex=1141275600&en=6b0de18a514b3480&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

1. Sheez

The arrogance og these assholes has no limit.

[mom cat]

2. Disgusting!

[movonne]

3. Really, how much more of this can we stand...everyday it is something

new...

[magellan]

4. The US has the largest share of readily available coal

According to this month's Nat'l Geographic (March 2006) the US is "the Saudi Arabia of coal".

BushCo aren't about to let a little thing like safety stand in the way of those profits.

[RamboLiberal]

5. NYT: U.S. Easing Fines for Mine Owners on Safety Flaws

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/02/national/02mine.html?hp&ex=1141275600&en=6b0de18a514b3480&ei=5094&partner=homepage

In its drive to foster a more cooperative relationship with mining companies, the Bush administration has decreased major fines for safety violations since 2001, and in nearly half the cases, it has not collected the fines, according to a data analysis by The New York Times.

Federal records also show that in the last two years the federal mine safety agency has failed to hand over any delinquent cases to the Treasury Department for further collection efforts, as is supposed to occur after 180 days.

With the deaths of 24 miners in accidents in 2006, the enforcement record of the Mine Safety and Health Administration has come under sharp scrutiny, and the agency is likely to face tough questions about its performance at a Senate oversight hearing on Thursday.

"The Bush administration ushered in this desire to develop cooperative ties between regulators and the mining industry," said Tony Oppegard, a former top official at the agency. "Safety has certainly suffered as a result."

[Occulus]

6. .

:wow:

[redphish]

7. "cooperative ties"

I guess the "cooperative ties between regulators and the mining industry" means the regulators cooperate with the industry by letting the industry do anything it damned well pleases.

[Xeric]

8. one hand washing the other

They may not collect the fines but I bet they collect the political donations.

[saigon68]

12. I would venture by the millions

Like all repuke operations

FOLLOW THE MONEY TRAIL

Too bad our main stream media is concerned about Scott Peterson--- err Entwhistle and Natalie Holloway.

[aquart]

9. Well, sure we are.

Not enough of those damn miners died. Look how many died in Mexico! Folks, we've got to keep up!

[ConcernedCanuk]

10. "fatalities across all types of mining have stayed relatively stable"

.
.
.

Well ok then

no need to reduce the number of people dying then, right?

"collateral damage" enters the workforce as "acceptable"

Brings to mind a conversation I had today with a local here in my small town of 2500 souls.

This is basically a lumber town, 90 got laid off from one of our mills less than a year ago, and are laying off another 70 some this coming April.

I commented that the USA lumber/tariff dispute might have been a big factor in the company's recent lay-offs and shutting down of shifts.

"Yeah, useless outfit that"

I asked - "you mean the company or the country(USA)" ?

With no hesitation he responded "The friggen country"

Small-Town Northern Ontario - that's what the "workers" think of the US

Thank ur government for promoting ill-will with their biggest trading partner

(sigh)

[OneBlueSky]

11. is there ANYTHING about this administration that ISN'T crooked? . . . n/t

.

[Rose Siding]

13. They are bargaining away people's lives for money

If the costs aren't prohibitive, they will be absorbed rather than making costly, life saving corrections.

[Marie26]

14. Selling our safety to the highest bidder

In the mines, in Katrina, in the ports deal. How can anyone doubt anymore who Bush's true consistuents are?