Posted on 02/01/2006 6:13:55 PM PST by Indy Pendance
CHARLESTON, West Virginia (Reuters) - West Virginia closed all coal mining operations in the state for safety checks on Wednesday after a series of accidents that killed 16 miners in the last month.
West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin announced the shutdown after three separate mine accidents in the state on Wednesday that left two miners dead and others injured.
"As a result of these three incidents, all of which occurred within just the last few hours, I am calling on the industry to cease production activities immediately and go into a mine safety stand down," the Democratic governor told reporters at the state capital.
In Washington, the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration called for coal mines across the country to take one hour before the start of each regular work shift this Monday to discuss hazards and safeguards that need to be taken in a national safety "stand down."
The spate of West Virginia mining disasters began on January 2 when 12 miners perished in a blast at International Coal Group's Sago mine in Tallmansville in the state's worst mining disaster since 1968.
Manchin said on Wednesday he had ordered the immediate inspection of every coal mine in the state and was contacting federal officials to help.
The West Virginia Coal Association, a coalition of mine owners who employ more than 35,000 people, said it supported the governor's action and estimated it could take nearly two weeks to inspect every mine.
"We embrace his call for this stand down and hopefully it will provide some good results," said Chris Hamilton, senior vice president of the group. "There will be a lot of lost revenue but if it saves one accident, it will be worth it."
The United States has the world's largest coal reserves, and West Virginia is one of the nation's biggest producers, mining nearly half a million tons a day.
Coal is used to produce more than 50 percent of U.S. electricity.
On Wednesday, one miner was killed at Boone County's Long Branch No. 18 Mine when a safety wall fell. At the Black Castle surface mine, also in Boone County, a bulldozer operator struck a natural gas line, starting a fire that killed him.
A third accident resulted in minor injuries in Kanawha County at a Kanawha Eagle Coal Company mine. No further details were immediately available.
On January 21 two miners were found dead after a fire at the Massey Energy-owned Aracoma mine in Melville.
SAFETY LAW
"Today has once again been a difficult day for our state's miners, their families and our mining industry," said Manchin, who last month steered new safety measures into law.
The new law requires a 24-hour mine accident hot line to mobilize rescue teams immediately, locater devices for miners and additional oxygen supplies placed underground. It also calls for mines to have a lifeline with reflective markings to lead miners to oxygen caches and hopefully out of a mine after an accident.
"My office is also in the process of filing emergency rules tonight that are the next step in implementing the mine safety legislation that was passed by the legislature last week," Manchin said.
Energy traders said an extended shutdown of West Virginia mines could put upward pressure on other energy prices, particularly natural gas which is also used by utilities to produce power.
"The energy market is still nervous, and a move such as this is likely to provide continuing support to alternative fuels like oil or natural gas. This is not bearish news," said Jay Levine at enerjay LLC, an energy brokerage and consulting firm based in Maine.
In overnight trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, natural gas futures prices shot up about 35 cents to $9.07 per million British thermal units on news of the mining halt.
Chicken? Afraid we're right?
Why don't you tell us all about your belief that the US military are "christofascists" (your word)? Tell us more, please.
You must be kidding. Get back on your meds.
Clinton's always been a pet of yours.
ROTFLMAO!
Manchin is a good guy; more of an old-school, blue-collar Democrat.
Correct me if I'm wrong but weren't there going to be charges against the mine owners?
Could create a fire? Statistics and analysis indicate that this has a definate probability of recurrance. Any living thing within the area would have a very minimal survivability ratio. This would depend upon the area, amount of 02, and the ignition source. One might be better served by consulting actuary tables that are utilized for life insurance. Harsh but true.
TITZ
SMN
And have a nice day
When does he halt all construction? Construction results in many deaths per year also, in fact I think nationwide construction has more on the job deaths than mining.
She's a chickenshit when it comes to facts.
Anyone who refers to members the US military as "christofascists" is no damn good in my book.
[spit]
It was a run-bye fruiting.
That may be all well and good with some. The MurryMom POS has NEVER engaged me directly in conversation. Run-bye fruitings are chickensh!t.
yes she is.
for years now.
As electricity prices aren't high enough, lets over react and wretchit up a notch or ten.
Most of the women I know detest the idea of being "saved" by BushBot fanatics who really want to steal away our First Amendment rights, just like they did to the women who expressed their political feelings during the SOTU on Tuesday. God save us if you want to save me!
Quote me accurately instead of lying by changing my words and by taking them out of their proper context, and I will gladly respond.
Have a nice day!
I voted for him too. He was a much better candidate than any of the GOP candidates. I've not been disappointed in him . He seems to be genuine and I've met and talked to him privately. I wish he would switch parties. His pro-union connections may be why he does not.
***
I told my husband that I thought he was more Republican than Democrat, but it would be hard to win as a Republican in this state. Some have done it, but not a lot.
I would love to know what you thought of him after speaking to him privately.
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