April 21, 2008

Altoona Mirror Letters
P.O. Box 2008
Altoona, PA 16603
E-mail: opinion@altoonamirror.com

Fax: (814) 946-7540

Dear Editor:

I respectfully urge the editorial board of the Altoona Mirror to reconsider its stance on the crucial safety amendments added by the state House of Representatives to Senate Bill 949, the much-needed mine-safety legislation.

The Mirror’s April 20 editorial, "Some progress better than none," makes the case for compromising on miner safety. Pennsylvania – no stranger to mine disasters – should never treat life so callously by accepting such a compromise. We need coal but never by irresponsibly putting lives at risk.

The House’s safety amendments are not arcane, bureaucratic hurdles, but commonsense safeguards critical to the safety of Pennsylvania’s miners. West Virginia miners already are afforded the protections that Pennsylvania’s state Senate should eagerly embrace.

Shouldn’t defective cables on mobile equipment be replaced BEFORE the equipment is operated?

Wouldn’t you want a mine to be certified as safe BEFORE personnel are allowed to enter?

Wouldn’t you want at least two intake openings or outlets to the surface from every coal seam being worked?

Wouldn’t you want someone representing miners to participate in inspections?

The responsible answer is "yes" to all the questions.

I don’t think the grieving spouse or child of a killed miner would be satisfied with "some progress" on mine safety.

And neither should the Mirror editorial board.

                                                                                    State Rep. Camille "Bud" George,

                                                                                    D-74 of Clearfield County and

                                                                                    Majority chair, House Environmental

                                                                                    Resources & Energy Committee

PH: 717 787-7082