Matheson Mine Communications Bill Ready for House Passage
Press Release
Matheson Mine Communications Bill Ready for House Passage
Unanimous Approval Given in Committee
Washington D.C.Congressman Jim Matheson's bipartisan legislation to jump-start advanced communications technology for underground coal mines today received unanimous approval in the House Science and Technology Committee. The measureHR 3877is one that Matheson's colleagues noted will "save lives and alleviate heartache for families." Matheson is a Science and Technology Committee member
"We need next-generation technology that tracks and communicates with miners when accidents occur. Mine safety is our top priority and as we learned in the Crandall Canyon mine tragedy, there's a gap in our ability to locate these miners when tragedy strikes," said Matheson. "This is a time for an all-out effort, in order to spare mining families from the ordeal that the families of the Crandall Canyon miners and mine rescuers endured."
Matheson's bill directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish a technological initiative to address the existing limitations of tracking and communications equipment. Matheson noted that the open air pathway required for radio signals and WiFi often doesn't exist in deep underground mines. Less than 10 percent of the radio spectrum that is used above ground can be used underground and only a fraction of that is allocated for commercial communications purposes.
Matheson said that NIST has a long history of working in conjunction with industry to invest in longer-term, high-risk research that yields national benefits. Matheson added language to the bill prior to the committee vote that clarifies that NIST will coordinate its research with other federal agencies and that emphasizes the adoption of "best practices."
Matheson's bill directs NIST to establish the research program and where appropriate to make grants available to entities that may be able to speed development of the technology.
The committee designated that the bill be sent to the House floor as "favorably reported."
Source