Gov. Joe Manchin applauds West Virginia lawmakers for rapidly passing a package of mine safety regulations during a Jan. 23 press conference at the State Capitol. The Governor's legislation calls for extra oxygen to be stored in the mines, electrical tracking devices to be worn by miners, and the creation of Mine and Industrial Accident Rapid Response System, a 24-hour hotline, that coal operators must contact within 15 minutes of an emergency. Manchin signed the bill into law Thursday, Jan. 26.

Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin

House Speaker Bob Kiss

CHARLESTON - West Virginia leaders plan to keep passing coal mine safety laws throughout their session.

The Legislature already has passed a rescue bill aimed at improving the survival chances of miners in accidents. Gov. Joe Manchin signed that bill into law Thursday.

Broader measures will follow, if elected officials can preserve a sense of urgency over the deaths of 14 West Virginia miners in January.

Raamie Barker, chief of staff for Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin, said, "Everybody says they want reform, but will they still be for reform six months down the road?"

Barker said Manchin, Tomblin and House Speaker Bob Kiss will track the investigation of the Sago disaster.

"Should things become apparent, and there is something we can do right now, then the Governor and the Legislature will take immediate action," Barker said.

"Nothing is off the table," he said.

Kiss stated in a press release that, "... there appears to be a need for other mine safety law changes in this session."

Barker said West Virginia leaders moved quickly on mine safety partly to show the U. S. Congress that it needs to take action.

He said, "Whatever we do has to be done hand in glove with the federal government."

He said, "Today's headline is tomorrow's waste paper. We have to strike while the iron is hot. We had no opposition from industry because everyone wants to save lives."

Attorney Tim Conaway of Madison, who represents injured miners, said the new law mostly involves locating miners in emergencies and communicating with them.

"All those things are good," he said. "I would like to see more in terms of preventing disasters in the first place. It will be something else at that point, won't it?"

Conaway favors stricter permits for mines and better training for supervisors.

Barker said those proposals may turn into law.

Barker said great demand for coal has caused a tremendous increase in mining activity in West Virginia. He said state inspectors may not have kept up with the expansion.

He said, "Maybe people cut corners because we can't get the cop to the mine. If the speed limit is 65, you will go 75 if you know there is no cop on the road."

Barker said the question of supervision connects to a deep division between union and nonunion coal mining.

He said many experienced union miners do not work in mines. He said Massey Energy, which owns most of the coal reserves in southwestern West Virginia, does not hire former United Mine Workers miners.

"I wouldn't call it a black list," he said, "but there is this struggle between union and nonunion coal mines."

He said, "The continuing confrontation forces there are not really serving the efficiency of the labor force. There has to be management and labor cooperation."

Conaway said, "I don't think anybody will say, I'm not going to hire you because you've got a union mentality or a union history. They just won't call you back."

Conaway said state investigators should open their meetings on the Sago disaster to the public. "You want two things," he said. "You want information. You want transparency."

He said, "Maybe they think it will turn into a media sensation. It will help if it continues to receive publicity."