Let me qualify that last statement. The Federal Bureau of Mine Safety controls the issue of enforcing Mine Safety in this country. Just like the FAA controls the issue of Airline and flight safety and Just like the FRA controls the issue of Railroad safety. These administrative bodies are headed by political appointees whose job it is to enforce the safety standards enacted by the federal government.
The states don't do this because one; The government needs uniform rules and regulations across the whole country. Otherwise any state with heavily represented mining interests would have weak or unsafe conditions just like the airways or railroads.
Two; the mining companies are interstate and as such are federal issues.
The Executive Branch appoints the heads of the various regulatory agencies who then create and establish the regulations under which these agencies operate and they have the police powers required to insure compliance.
I don't know what your point is but that is how it works.
That's how it works, huh?
Well if that's how it works, and the federal government has sole control over mining safety issues, then could you please explain the Virginia Coal Mine Safety Act (which I mention seeing as it was in the state of Virginia that both of these recent accidents occurred)?
If things work the way you say, then you'd better alert the folks of Virginia that their state laws regarding mining safety are null and void. Apparently neither Virginia's Governor nor the members of the Virginia Assembly were aware of this as they amended it about a year ago in order to increase safety standards as well as civil penalties for violations that result in injury or death.
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