West Virginia lawmakers pass mine safety legislation

[jarab]

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/state/13694220.htm


CHARLESTON, W.Va. - After 14 coal mining deaths in three weeks, West Virginia lawmakers unanimously passed a bill Monday that would require mines to use electronic devices to track trapped miners and stockpile oxygen to keep them alive until help arrives.
The Senate and House both acted speedily at the urging of Gov. Joe Manchin, who unveiled the legislation about 11 a.m. and pressed lawmakers to pass it by the end of the day.

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Once the governor signs the bill, coal companies in the nation's No. 2 coal mining state - behind Wyoming - will have to comply by the end of February.

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Manchin's legislation will require improved communications and the electronic tracking of coal miners underground, as well as faster emergency response and the storage of additional air supplies underground.

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Manchin also proposed to fine coal companies $100,000 if they fail to report an emergency within 15 minutes. At Sago, company officials placed the first calls to state and federal safety officials more than an hour after the explosion.

We'll see how serious they are.
...O...

[Gatchaman]

1. Unanimous?

Don Blankenship's gonna have to get a lot of new people elected next time.