Bob Murray wants to continue mining near the Crandall Canyon coal mine in Utah as six unreachable miners' bodies are still warm. Governor John Huntsman (R) reacted:
"That's totally unacceptable. There will not be business as usual until there is closure."
Huntsman went on:
"Furthermore, if it takes every dollar this guy has in his bank account, he needs to bring closure to this darned thing. We've got families of six good people who are currently sitting in that mine."
Not Murray, nor any coal mine owner/operator, will like the sound of that.
I found a political action committee for Murray Energy. Murray certainly knows how to wield the power he has. But it looks like he's finally come up against some pushback: the Utah governor wants Murray's other mines inspected immediately. Nine are most likely dead at a mine with that had questionable government oversight and a get-rich-quick mining plan pushed by the owner.
MSHA Director Stickler's term as a recess appointment expires at year end. Will Bush reappoint him? Utah Senator Orrin Hatch supports Stickler, who looks to be just one more of George Bush's "You're doing a heckuva job, Brownie!" appointments:
"Richard Stickler is a very competent MSHA official," Sen. Orrin Hatch said.
I've always hated Orrin. This shows why.
Our current energy policy ensures that plenty of coal is burned in the United States. It surely generates plenty of profit for mine owners and operators. Are there more mines owned by Bob Murray that fit the Crandall Canyon profile? Are they safe? Will mine owners continue to call the shots with regard to unsafe mining techniques, union-busting rules, minimal safety requirements and uncollected fines for dangerous conditions? And will coal users accept it?
There are many more questions than answers in the story of the Crandall Canyon mine disaster in Utah...