Monday: Ask Hal why he's against protecting miners from Black Lung

Congressman Hal Rogers is a guest on WYMT's "Issues and Answers" on Monday, July 30, and Kentuckians are invited to submit their questions.

KFTC members certainly have "issues" with Congressman Rogers, and this is a good opportunity to raise those up, and demand some solid "answers." (Goodness knows that trying to meet with him in his office hasn't worked so far.)

Right now, Kentuckians might have some questions for Hal Rogers about his work to prevent protections for miners against Black Lung disease.

Once on the wane thanks to strengthened federal regulations, Black Lung disease in again on the rise, especially in younger miners, and has become more aggressive, progressing more quickly. Cases of black lung have doubled since 1997. An investigation by National Public Radio and the Center for Public Integrity confirmed widespread cheating by mining companies on dust samples, and a lack of monitoring and enforcement of the rules by federal regulators.

The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed some provisions to offer some very basic ways of protecting miners: the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) proposes halving the legal limits on coal miners' exposure to coal dust, and that miners use personal dust monitors to monitor their exposure. Many say even these proposals are inadequate; the United Mine Workers of America is one group that points out that these protections are inadequate, and that much more needs to be done to filter the air that miners breath and protect them from the toxic coal dust.

But instead of using his power as the chair of the House Appropriations Committee to increase funding for the safeguards and monitoring and enforcement that would prevent Black Lung disease, or fight for stronger safeguards for miners, Rep. Rogers is actually blocking these basic protections for miners. 

The Appropriations budget for the Department of Labor, just released on July 17, includes this provision:

"SEC. 118. None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to continue the development of or to promulgate, administer, enforce, or otherwise implement the Lowering Miners' Exposure to Coal Mine Dust, Including 20 Continuous Personal Dust Monitors regulation (Regulatory Identification Number 1219-AB64) being developed by the Mine Safety and Health Administration of the Department of Labor."

The Appropriations Committee – chaired by Rep. Rogers – specifically prohibits the Department of Labor from funding the most basic safety provisions for miners. When asked about the provision, Jennifer Hing, a spokesperson for Hal Rogers said, “It is the chairman’s position...that that particular regulation is harmful and costly to the industry and to the economy in general.”

Many Kentuckians, especially miners and their families, might want to ask Hal Rogers himself.

Take Action!

Submit a question to Hal Rogers for his appearance on WYMT's "Issues and Answers."  Just follow that link and leave your question in the comment section. The segment is part of the WYMT Newscast, and airs on Monday, July 30 sometime between 6 and 6:30 p.m.

Heads up: It might not be a sure thing that your question will stay visible on the page, let alone get asked on air. So feel free to also leave your question right here on KFTC's blog in the comments section! Or you can add it to our Kentucky Deserves Tumblr, a running message to Congressman Rogers.

(NPR and the Center for Public Integrity have been researching and reporting out on this issue, and there's a great collection of reports on NPR's website.)