U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller has reintroduced his mine safety legislation that followed the Upper Big Branch mine disaster, saying not enough is being done to protect the nation's coal miners. Rockefeller says since 29 miners were killed at UBB, Congress and the Obama administration have enacted some targeted laws and regulations dealing with mine safety, but there's been no comprehensive legislation approved. Rockefeller has added several provisions, which he says is directly connected to the results of the UBB investigations. The new provisions include prohibiting mine operators from keeping two sets of safety books, establishing penalties for unsafe ventilation changes along with addressing issues concerning black lung disease, the coordination of state and federal mine safety efforts and improving technology and training.
