Statement from the Governor About MSHA's UBB Investigation Decision Yesterday

Statement

"I wished that MSHA would have completely opened the overall investigation and that our state officials would have had more involvement in MSHA's UBB investigation decision yesterday. However, I do appreciate MSHA opening a large portion of this process -- through public hearings, public forums and a public comment period.

"I have not spoken directly to federal officials since they have made this decision, but in trying to understand their decision-making and thought process, I spoke with some individuals who have knowledge about the process. These individuals suggested that MSHA might have concluded that a closed interview process was the best way to achieve an open dialogue, collect the most accurate information and move this investigation as expediently as possible.

"I hope that as MSHA goes through this process, if they sense that they are not getting the most accurate information as quickly as possible then I urge them to stop the process and immediately open the entire investigation."

- Gov. Joe Manchin

Source