The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee heard comments from the coal industry, mine workers and the current and former Secretaries of DEP on the issue of modernizing Pennsylvania’s 1961 bituminous mine safety law.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Kasunic (D-Somerset), Senate Bill 949 before the Committee, and its companion House Bill 2229 sponsored by Rep. Bastian (R-Somerset), make changes in law recommended by investigations of the 2002 Quecreek Mine Accident.

Current DEP Secretary Kathleen McGinty recounted the steps DEP took over the last 3 years to change regulations and program requirements in response to the Quecreek investigations and the Governor’s Commission on Mine Voids.

Secretary McGinty also provided an overview of Pennsylvania’s Deep Mine Safety Program including number of inspections, safety record and a cross section of rescue efforts.

DEP reported the number of fatalities in Pennsylvania’s underground mines (coal and noncoal) totaled eight over the last six years, with none in anthracite and industrial mineral mining during that time. That’s in stark contrast to the early history of coal mining when in just one year – 1907—1,514 people died in mines in Pennsylvania. Since 1870, 51,504 people have died in Pennsylvania mines.

Former DEP Secretary David Hess provided background on the results of investigations and actions right after the 2002 Quecreek Mine Accident and testified in support of legislation saying it was needed to help Pennsylvania’s mine safety law keep up with changes in technology and safety procedures. In addition, he recommended the bill also include—

· Miner Families First: A “Mine Families First” program that adopts the policy Gov. Schweiker used during the Quecreek Rescue to make sure families of the trapped miners got accurate information first about rescue operations, before the media, to avoid communications problems like those encountered in West Virginia;

· Open Adoption of Rules: Require the adoption of mine safety regulations by a proposed Mine Safety Board through an open and public process;

· Clear Authority to Respond: Provide DEP with full, clear authority to conduct rescue operations and investigate the causes of accidents;

· Restoration Costs: Make sure the costs of restoring sites involved in a mine rescue can be recovered from mine operators and paid for under the proposed Mine Safety Fund; and

· Flexibility to Add Safety Measures: Assure the Mine Safety Board has the authority to adopt safety regulations that go beyond the specifics included in the 215 page bill so they can keep up with changes in technology.

Edward Yankovich, vice-president of the United Mine Workers of America, said Pennsylvania and other states need to investigate new technologies for locating and communicating with trapped miners.

Yankovich recommended looking at the requirements just adopted by West Virginia in the wake of the Sago mine accident and called for more vigorous enforcement of existing mine safety requirements.

George Ellis, president of the Pennsylvania Coal Association, said significant changes were made in Pennsylvania’s underground mine safety program after the Quecreek Mine accident and Pennsylvania mines are among the safest in the country.

But, PCA opposes Senate Bill 949 because it expands the differences between the federal mine safety program and Pennsylvania’s own requirements and increases duplication between the programs.

The Committee expects to consider mine safety legislation in the next few weeks.

Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango) chairs the Senate Environmental Committee along with Sen. Ray Musto (D-Luzerne) who is Democratic Chair.

NewsClip: Secretary Testifies Before Senate Panel on Mine Safety

“Blood on our Hands” Without Mining Law Update

Lawmakers Urged to Update Mining Law

Editorial: Mine Safety

What Are the Chances?

Link: Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation, Somerset

2/3/2006