Quecreek Mine Rescue

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets on January 15 to consider Senate Bill 949 (Kasunic-D-Somerset) making the first comprehensive revisions to the Bituminous Coal Mine Safety Act in 45 years, in-part based on recommendations made after the 2002 Quecreek Mine Rescue.

The bill would—

· Creates a Coal Mine Safety Board to promulgate regulations and continually review and recommend the use of new mine safety technologies. The Board would be composed of representatives from the industry, labor, and DEP. A key shortcoming of our current law is the inability of any entity to promulgate regulations;

· Provides the specifications for emergency shelter chambers in underground mines;

· Better ensures the availability and transfer of maps to DEP, as well as giving DEP statewide authority to copy all mine maps; enables DEP to establish a central map repository database;

· Brings state law in line with federal standards where appropriate;

· Eliminates obsolete language and provides clarity where practicable; and

· Provides for greater responsibility for operators to ensure the safety within mines.

Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango) serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and Sen. Ray Musto (D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair.

For more information, visit the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee webpage.

1/11/2008