Mine disaster deal: $210M in penalties
West Virginia State Police direct traffic at the entrance to Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch Coal Mine in Montcoal, W.Va., where 29 coal miners were killed in an April 5, 2010, explosion. On Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011, prosecutors announced that the mine owner will pay a record $210 million to compensate families. Credit: AP, 2010
The new owners of the West Virginia coal mine where 29 men were killed in an explosion agreed Tuesday to pay a record $210 million in penalties over what the government called an "entirely preventable" tragedy caused by the pursuit of profits ahead of safety.
It is the biggest settlement ever reached in a U.S. mining disaster, and the money will go to compensate grieving families, bankroll cutting-edge safety improvements and pay for years of violations.
Under the deal Alpha Natural Resources -- which acquired the mine's owner, Massey Energy, earlier this year -- will not be charged with any crimes in the April 2010 blast at the Upper Big Branch mine as long as the company abides by the settlement, U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin said. But the agreement does not prevent individual employees from being prosecuted. "No individuals are off the hook," Goodwin said, adding federal prosecutors are still investigating.
Hours after the settlement was announced, federal regulators released a final report detailing 369 safety violations at the mine, including 12 that it said contributed to the blast. Fines related to those violations account for $10.8 million of the settlement, and the company is required to pay further fines for violations dating back several years.-- AP
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Maduro, wife arrive for court ... Kids celebrate Three Kings Day ... Out East: Custer Institute and Observatory ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV
