Crandall Canyon Criminal Charges Long Awaited, Congress’ Job to Protect Miners Remains Unfinished, says Rep. Miller
WASHINGTON – Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, issued the following statement after the U.S. Attorney in Salt Lake City announced two criminal misdemeanor charges against Genwal Resources, a subsidiary of Murray Energy Corporation, related to the Crandall Canyon Mine tragedy that killed six miners and three would-be rescuers in August 2007. Under the chairmanship of Miller, the Education and Labor Committee launched an investigation immediately after the disaster and referred the evidence he uncovered during the investigation to the Department of Justice in April 2008.
“I hope today’s announcement by the U.S. Attorney in Salt Lake City will bring some comfort to the families of loved ones lost in this preventable tragedy that occurred nearly five years ago. This was not an act of God, but the act of a mine operator. There were many promises made to bring justice for those who died and their families and to prevent something like this ever happening again. Today’s announcement will bring some justice to this community.
“Regrettably, Congress’ work remains unfinished in preventing such mining tragedies from occurring in the first place. This case is proof positive that weak criminal sanctions under the Mine Act leave many prosecutors with limited penalties to punish those who engage in willful violations. That’s why we must strengthen the law to deter future tragedies and to give prosecutors meaningful tools to hold all those responsible for putting miners in unnecessary danger accountable, no matter where they stand in the corporate chain of command.
“Many expected more from this four year investigation, including me, and with the U.S. Attorney’s findings, we must move forward with legislative changes. The health and safety of America’s miners must not be held up by predictable partisan battles. Miners and their families shouldn’t have to wait for another tragedy to occur. It’s well past time we get back to work.”
The Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act (H.R. 1579), legislation coauthored by Miller, makes each willful violation of mandatory safety and health standard that recklessly exposes miners to risk or serious injury or death a felony, with individuals subject to a maximum penalty of five years in prison or a $1 million fine or both, and provides prosecutors with the tools to pierce the corporate veil.
On August 6, 2007, a section of the Crandall Canyon Mine in Utah became the site of the worst coal mining tragedy of 2007. Pillars of coal supporting a roof burst, sending coal flying and creating enough force to register a 3.9 on the Richter scale. Rubble blocked every exit, entombing six miners somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000 feet underground. Three courageous rescuers, including one from MSHA, who attempted to reach them also died in the rescue effort.
The committee’s efforts to investigate the Crandall Canyon mine tragedy can be found on our website.
Next Article