Senate passes mine safety bill
By unanimous consent last evening, the U.S. Senate has approved and sent to the House S. 2308 to reform federal mine safety regulation in the wake of 31 coal mining fatalities so far in 2006. The bipartisan legislation was written by Senate Health, Education, and Labor and Pensions Committee chairman Michael B. Enzi (R-WY) and co-authored by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA). The primary thrust of the legislation follows the guidelines of the non-metal mining coalition that includes the Salt Institute. It provides that coal mines create new emergency response plans, have mine rescue teams closer at hand, install wireless communication and tracing systems and increases maximum fines while empowering MSHA to close down mines when fines aren't paid timely.