Calls For Congressional Investigations As Criticism Of Federal Oversight Mounts

Calls For Congressional Investigations As Criticism Of Federal Oversight Mounts

Huffington Post | Max Follmer



Cecil E. Roberts, the president of the United Mine Workers union, urged congressional leaders Tuesday to appoint an independent commission of experts to investigate the Utah mine collapse, saying federal regulators should not be tasked with investigating themselves.

The call for an independent probe came on the same day that the governor of Utah asked federal mine officials to immediately inspect two other mines owned by Murray Energy Corp.

"This is the least we can do to ensure that the lives lost have not been in vain," said Gov. Jon Huntsman, a Republican. He said a state commission would be set up to investigate what measures Utah could take to avoid future tragedies.

The developments came as safety experts and the families of the trapped miners have become increasingly vocal in their criticism of the government's handling of the rescue operations.

Roberts, the union chief, said the Mine Safety and Health Administration failed to learn from investigations of previous mine accidents, and described a culture of "not rocking the boat" that had developed at the agency.

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/08/21/calls-for-congressional-i_n_61350.html