Governor's Executive Order 2007-0010: Creating the Utah Mine Safety Commission

Issued: August 27, 2007

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EXECUTIVE ORDER

Creating the Utah Mine Safety Commission

WHEREAS, the State of Utah seeks to make certain those who work in underground mines are safe;

WHEREAS, the Crandall Canyon Mine disaster has raised questions about mine safety in Utah;

WHEREAS, the role of the State of Utah in mine safety and rescue efforts needs to be reviewed to determine whether the current level of participation in mine safety is appropriate or whether there are areas the State could be more involved.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., Governor of the State of Utah, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Utah do hereby order the following:

1. There is created the Utah Mine Safety Commission:

a. Consisting of members who are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor;

b. The Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining in the Utah Department of Natural Resources will provide staff and budgetary support;

c. The Commission may seek expert assistance through recruitment of a volunteer technical advisory committee;

d. The Commission may conduct hearings in locations across the state deemed appropriate.

2. The commission shall:

a. Review the role of the State of Utah in the area of mine safety, including the safety inspection process, accident prevention, and accident response;

b. Review the Crandall Canyon Mine disaster and the State's role in mine safety leading up to the incident;

c. Assess the role of state and local government relative to the federal government and private industry in ensuring mine safety;

d. Examine how the State can assure itself that the Mine Health and Safety Administration (MHSA) and private mining companies are doing everything reasonably possible to ensure the safety of Utah miners, their families, and their communities.

e. Recommend changes in the State's role for the future of mine safety and accident prevention;

f. Make policy recommendations, if appropriate, regarding how the State should promote mine safety, including any needed legislative changes at the state and/or federal levels.

3. Members of the Utah Mine Safety Commission serve without compensation. However, council members may be allowed meeting per diem, mileage, and travel reimbursements. All such reimbursements must be approved by the Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources, and must be funded from the Department's existing budget.

4. Under current Utah law, the Commission will not have subpoena power or similar investigative authority, and, accordingly, will not be tasked with investigating the cause(s) of the Crandall Canyon Mine disaster or with determining any fault for its occurrence.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Utah. Done in Salt Lake City, Utah, this 27th day of August, 2007.

(State Seal)

Jon M. Huntsman, Jr.
Governor

ATTEST:

Gary R. Herbert
Lieutenant Governor

2007/0010

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