Statement from Bill Raney, President – West Virginia Coal Association – regarding the release of the Report from the Governor’s Independent Investigation Panel concerning the Upper Big Branch mine explosion:
“It’s appropriate and right that the first focus of the report is on the miners themselves – the 29 men who were lost that terrible day and the one miner who is seriously injured – because we must never forget that they and their families have paid a terrible price.
“We welcome the thoroughness and comprehensiveness of the report and will be reviewing it in detail in the days and weeks ahead. We also look forward to the other three reports that will be issued this year so that everyone can get as full a picture as possible as to the causes of this explosion and take steps to ensure that our mines are operated safely every single day.
“That’s our goal and there have been great strides made over the years to improve safety and working conditions. But we know that we must continue those advancements and we’ll be working with a wide range of interested parties to achieve those objectives.”
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