Is government's mining reform moving quickly or too slowly?

Long before the rubble of Crandall Canyon settled, before even the first of the endless boreholes was drilled to find six trapped miners, the accusations, the finger-pointing and the cries for safety reforms began.

On the national front, Washington's response to the Aug. 6, 2007, disaster has been a year of studies, hearings, playing the blame game — and some reform. The government says that reform is moving at unprecedented speed, while critics say it is slow.

Statewide, coal production is down, the number of coal mines has dropped by three, and, subsequently, mine-related employment has suffered a loss.

Utah's Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. rushed in to appoint an eight-member panel to improve safety in underground coal mining. In January it came up with 45 recommendations, and nearly a year later, the director of the newly created state office of Coal Mine Safety worked his first day on the job.

But, as the old saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Even Crandall couldn't change that.

• Despite blistering criticism, Richard Stickler has survived to be reappointed head of the Mine Safety and Health Administration. The only person MSHA says is not working for it anymore because of the disaster is a man who approved Crandall Canyon's roof safety plans.

• Crandall Canyon Mine operator Robert E. Murray continues as one of the nation's largest coal mine operators, also despite attacks from Congress, a requested criminal investigation and record fines slapped against the Crandall Canyon Mine for the disaster. However, Murray has closed his Crandall Canyon and Aberdeen mines in Utah because of safety concerns.

• The House used concern from the disaster to help pass a new mine safety bill, but the Senate has not yet acted on it. President Bush has threatened to veto it if it is passed, saying it does nothing to advance safety and would only complicate existing safety rules.

Being mired in the prospect of change is something Utah's mining safety director concedes is inherent in the industry.

"Years ago, it was hard to get miners to wear a hard hat," said Garth Nielsen, a 36-year veteran of the coal mining industry. "It was something new, and they didn't think they needed it. Change is difficult for people."

Utah seems to be inching toward change, with Nielsen advocating the implementation of one of the state panel's most urgent recommendations — an improved emergency response plan to mining disasters.

The plan is part of a foundation that Huntsman hopes will ensure greater mine safety.

"Clearly, we have been pointed out as a state that has been deficient in this regard," Huntsman said.

Comments