In the same week that an Upper Big Branch mine superintendent was charged with safety violations linked to the explosion death of 29 miners, news from the Legislature said coal industry lobbyists are hindering improvements in West Virginia mine safety laws.
Statehouse correspondent Phil Kabler reported that pressure from mining lobbyists caused the House Rules Committee to remove a safety bill from the active calendar - until the lobbyists hold secret meetings with legislators and others in an attempt to weaken reforms that coal corporations don't like.
Think of that: Big-money agents have power to stall legislative efforts to save lives. They can negotiate back-room deals. A Beckley teacher phoned us Wednesday to express amazement that coal lobbyists can manipulate West Virginia's lawmaking process so brazenly.
The mine safety proposal (House Bill 4351) is backed by Gov. Tomblin and House Speaker Rick Thompson. Industry lobbyists oppose three provisions that would (1) let victims' families name a representative on teams investigating mine disasters, (2) require top mine officials to sign safety reports, and (3) require miners to be paid when inspectors close dangerous mines.
Delegate Mike Caputo, D-Marion, a United Mine Workers official, said coal corporation opposition could be a "deal-breaker" menacing the reforms. If no secret compromise can be reached, House Judiciary Chairman Tim Miley, D-Harrison, said "we can run the bill and fight it out on the floor."
Maybe Wednesday's announcement that another UBB official seems headed for conviction will embolden legislators to stand up against coal industry attempts to stymie safety rules.
For generations, out-of-state coal corporations have used West Virginia like a colony, bleeding away mineral wealth and leaving little behind but poverty and ravages. The industry invests heavily to sway the Legislature. Traditionally, it wielded enormous power.
But coal is fading. The number of West Virginia miners dwindled from 125,000 after World War II to around 15,000 today, as machines displaced human workers. All studies say easy-to-reach Appalachian coal is being depleted, and production will decline severely in coming years.
Under these circumstances, it's remarkable that coal lobbyists still have power to steer the Legislature, like the tail wagging the dog.
