July 31, 2013

Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce $550,000 For Mine Safety Training

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, along with Congressman Nick Rahall, today announced that $550,000 worth of federal funding will be available for safety and health training grants to help identify and prevent unsafe working conditions in and around mines.  The Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants grew out of the MINER Act which Rockefeller and Rahall co-authored in the Senate and House respectively and which Congress passed in 2006.

“Coal miners are the backbone of this country who have always worked hard to provide the power that keeps the lights on and the energy flowing to homes and businesses all over this country. The safety of our workers is our number one priority, and the funds for these programs are a critical part of making sure that every miner who wakes up in the morning to go to work will come home safely to their loved ones at night.”

“This program is an enormously important component of the MINER Act reforms we passed in 2006, and another example of keeping the promise we’ve made to our coal miners that we’ll do everything possible to keep them safe,” Rockefeller said. “We need to remain vigilant in our efforts to prevent another mining tragedy from occurring while taking further strides toward safer mines in West Virginia. The improved training and education opportunities made possible by this grant are a big part of that goal. I’m encouraging all who are eligible to apply.”  

“Having helped to create this important program to promote mine health and safety training, I know our State has a deep reservoir of experience and ideas that can be used in ensuring the well-being of all miners,” said Rahall. “I will continue to do all that I can in the halls of Congress to protect the safety of those who work deep underground to provide the energy that powers our nation.” 

Grant Information:

The Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants for the Fiscal Year 2013 will be used for training and training materials for mine emergency preparedness and mine emergency prevention for underground mines. Applicants for the grants may be States or nonprofit (private or public) entities. The amount of each individual grant will be at least 50,000. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration.  The deadline to apply for the grants is August 31.

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