July 13, 2010

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- At a Congressional hearing in Washington, D.C. today, U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) questioned the U.S. Department of Labor’s Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health, Joe Main, about companies’ adherence to mine safety laws nationwide.

As a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, Congressman Altmire has been at the forefront of efforts to improve mine safety. On May 24, Congressman Altmire travelled to Beckley, West Virginia and actively participated in a Congressional hearing examining the Upper Big Branch mine explosion, which killed 29 workers in April.

“Today’s hearing marks another important step forward in our ongoing efforts to strengthen mine safety laws. Mining is a vitally important source of energy and economic development in western Pennsylvania, and I want to make sure that we are doing everything we can to ensure that mining operations are as safe as possible. The thousands of men and women who go to work in our nation’s mines each day deserve nothing less.”

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