Death In A West Virginia Coal Mine

By Douglas V. Gibbs

A huge explosion at the Upper Big Branch coal mine in Montcoal, West Virginia last week claimed the lives of 29 miners. Not since a 1970 explosion killed 38 in Hyden, Kentucky has there been such loss of life at an American coal mine. Four miners were believed to possibly be alive during the week, but search crews reported they found the bodies of the four trapped miners in the early morning hours yesterday, ending a search that was often hampered by a volatile mix of poisonous gases and thick smoke. The cause of the blast is believed to have been largely caused by high levels of methane gas.

The explosion that caused the mining disaster occurred without warning last Monday afternoon. Two men survived, and 25 were quickly known to have perished. The final four bodies were thought to have possibly survived, at the time, resulting in the commencement of the hopeful rescue mission.

The conditions were so bad after the blast on Monday that once the final four bodies were located yesterday, the rescuers realized they had walked past the bodies on the first day after the explosion without even realizing it.

MSHA and West Virginia regulators plan a joint investigation into the tragic explosion that could take up to a year. Some believe that the disaster could have been avoided had the company followed regulations. This explosion will no doubt lead to more regulations, and stronger enforcement strategies.

The CEO of the coal mining company, Don Blankenship, has denied accusations that coal profits were put before safety.

President Barack Obama has asked federal mine safety officials to report next week on what may have caused the blast. The U.S. House and Senate plan to hold hearings so that lawmakers can scrutinize Massey's practices. I agree that certain regulations need to be in place, and that the company needs to follow the law. I don't doubt that Massey Energy and Performance Coal violated safety standards. But for the federal government to come running in hoping to play big-boss-man over this concerns me. I also see this as an opportunity for the federal government to use this tragedy as an excuse to gain more influence over yet another private industry.

Interestingly enough, the Left (in their constant intent to demonize the Right, even in the face of a tragedy such as this) found a way to blame the Tea Party Movement for the disaster, since Massey's CEO had contributed to the local Labor Day Tea Party.

Coincidentally, this mining disaster follows shortly behind a tragedy in China where 153 workers were trapped by flooding in an unfinished Chinese coal mine.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

A West Virginia coal mine explosion demands action - Washington Post

4 missing W.Va. miners dead; final toll at 29 - Washington Post

MINE EXPLOSION: Last hope gone: 4 W.Va. coal miners found dead - Delmarva Now!

Tea Party Linked To Coal Mine Explosion: Did The Tea Party Cause It? - SodaHead

Flood in unfinished China coal mine traps 153 - Reuters U.K.