The Senate this week approved Senate Bill 949 (Kasunic-D-Somerset) that provides for the first rewrite of the Bituminous Coal Mine Safety Act in 45 years, in-part based on recommendations made after the 2002 Quecreek Mine Rescue.

"Since the law was first enacted, the mining industry has drastically advanced with new techniques and practices," Sen. Kasunic said. "Unfortunately, due to a lack of regulatory authority, our law has been unable to keep pace with this technology."

Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango), who chairs the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, said the Senate worked closely with the Department of Environmental Protection, coal mine operators and mine union officials to develop the package.

“This legislation provides new, common sense measures to prevent, prepare for and respond to mining accidents and emergencies,” Sen. White said. “It will help to improve coordination of mine safety efforts, set higher standards for mine operators and represents the culmination of a strenuous effort to make this inherently dangerous job safer.”

Senate Bill 949 would create a new Board of Coal Mine Safety to keep Pennsylvania's mine safety standards regularly updated. The seven member board will be chaired by the DEP secretary, with three members representing mine operators and three representing mine workers.

The legislation also provides for greater legal responsibility for operators to ensure mine safety, and enables the state to establish a central database of mine maps, White said. It also addresses responses to accidents, requiring mine operators to notify DEP within 15 minutes of an accident, and updates ventilation and roof support requirements.

“The Board of Coal Mine Safety will regularly consider new technology and new approaches that improve safety, so that Pennsylvania doesn’t go another 50 years before updating its mining regulations," said Sen. White. “Passage of this measure was the result of bipartisan cooperation and hard work. I look forward to seeing it enacted so that the proud tradition of Pennsylvania mining is as safe as it possibly can be.”

Pennsylvania is now the fourth largest coal producer in the United States, following Wyoming, West Virginia and Kentucky. Since 1870 there have been approximately 51,000 mining-related fatalities in the Commonwealth.

NewsClips: Senate OKs Bill to Update Mine Safety Measurers

Mine Safety Bill Clears State Senate, Heads to House

Mine Safety Bill Long Overdue

Link: National Geographic Channel Re-Lives Quecreek Mine Rescue Feb. 19

2/15/2008