The Mine Safety and Health Administration and Massey Energy are targets of a federal criminal investigation into the explosion at Massey's Upper Big Branch Mine that killed 29 West Virginia Miners, National Public Radio reports. Sources close to the investigation told NPR the FBI is looking into possible bribery of MSHA officials and is exploring potential criminal negligence charges against Massey, report Howard Berkes and Dina Temple-Raston. The FBI declined to comment but would neither confirm nor deny that an investigation is ongoing. Massey told NPR it was not aware of the allegations and is fully cooperating with investigators, while MSHA has not yet responded to a request for comment. (Read more)
UPDATE, May 2: William H. Turner, the National Endowment for the Humanities chair in Appalachian Studies at Berea College in Kentucky, represented Gov. Steve Beshear at the memorial service and wrote a reflection: "It reminded me of what America was, is, and can be. . . . How much more are we willing to pay a month on our light bill to make sure coal mining is safe? . . . What a fellowship, what a divine joy, to be in the company of fine people saying words about setting right the lives of coal mining families and singing songs of praise and possibility." For a PDF of the full article, click here.
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