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Ky. Senate Committee Votes to Eliminate State Mine Inspections

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A bill that would eliminate state inspections of Kentucky coal mines is headed to the full senate. The measure was heard Wednesday in the Senate Natural Resources Committee.

The measure does away with six annual state mine inspections at each mine in Kentucky. Supporters say federal mine workers have increased their inspections and the measure would eliminate duplication. Kentucky Coal Association President Bill Bissett says state safety analysts would instead focus on improving everyday goals. “What we’re not having happen is these behavior modifications that every mine expert we talk to says has a major impact on keeping people safe in a preventive way, not only a punitive way,” said Bissett.

Former Arch Coal Company chief inspector Jim Vicini testified in support of the measure. He says mine safety would not be compromised under the change. “I don’t want to replace inspectors," Vicini said. "Don’t get me wrong, we have plenty of inspections from the Mine Health Safety Health Administration. They’re at the mine every day.”

Terri Blanton with Kentuckians for the Commonwealth says she favors keeping the state inspections. “Those six inspections were written with the blood of several coal miners that died in 2009 in Harlan County,” Blanton said. “To eliminate those inspections is quite frightening.”

The bill heads to the senate floor where passage is likely.

Stu Johnson is a reporter/producer at WEKU in Lexington, Kentucky.
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