[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 22, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E54]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SUPPLEMENTAL MINE IMPROVEMENT AND NEW EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. DAN BOREN

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 16, 2008

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2768) to 
     establish improved mandatory standards to protect miners 
     during emergencies, and for other purposes:

  Mr. BOREN. Mr. Chairman, I would first like to thank Chairman Miller 
and the members of his committee for their hard work and dedication to 
improving the safety of our Nation's mines and bringing this important 
issue to the forefront. As we all know, the tragic mining accidents of 
the last few years have made this a serious topic of national and 
public debate.
  I am a strong supporter of increasing safety at our Nation's mines. 
This is why I strongly supported and voted for the MINER Act of 2006. 
Since its enactment, I have continued to support its complete 
implementation and I look forward to the mining industry reaching full 
compliance with its provisions.
  While Chairman Miller's bill, the S-MINER Act, aims to further 
strengthen mining industry safety and health standards, I have serious 
concerns about how this bill will affect local mining operations in my 
congressional district and the State of Oklahoma.
  This new mining safety legislation will impose a one-size-fits-all 
set of safety standards and regulations upon the mining industry, 
regardless of a mining operation's differing characteristics or risk 
factors. Therefore, numerous surface mines in my district would be 
forced to comply with expensive Government regulations that do not 
enhance safety for their workers.
  Fine increases and the process laid out in the S-MINER Act for 
evaluating and judging regulatory infractions are also matters of great 
concern to me. Requiring increased fines to be made in escrow, while a 
citation is investigated, may be reasonable for large mining companies. 
However, for the small mining operations in my district, this 
requirement would be financially crippling and is likely to precipitate 
the loss of valued jobs.
  Finally, Mr. Chairman, it is my firm belief this new mine safety 
legislation comes far too soon after the enactment of the MINER Act of 
2006. Currently the mining operations in my congressional district and 
the State of Oklahoma are working diligently to achieve full compliance 
with the new law. I am concerned the additional regulations and 
standards set forth in the S-MINER Act of 2008 will be financially 
overwhelming to an industry that is a vital supplier of jobs for my 
constituents. I believe it very well could reduce progress on 
implementing the achievements of the MINER Act.
  It is for these reasons listed above, Mr. Chairman, I voted against 
the S-MINER Act when it came before the House floor for a vote. I look 
forward to working with my colleagues to ensure the future 
sustainability and safety of our Nation's mines, which are integral to 
the vitality of our Nation's energy supply and strength of the American 
economy.

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