In 2017, Trump tapped David Zatezalo to run the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Zatezalo is the former chair of a coal industry group and had run a coal company repeatedly cited for safety violations.
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Since Zatezalo took control of MSHA, he has taken steps that could gut the agency’s Pattern of Violations rule, a punishment that threatens unsafe mines with expensive shutdowns and is seen as the agency's most powerful tool for ensuring miner safety.
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Under the Obama administration, MSHA defended the rule. But the Trump administration is negotiating a settlement to a lawsuit filed by a trade group — the one Zatezalo used to run — seeking to invalidate it. Zatezalo has not recused himself from those talks.
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In a separate case, MSHA cut a deal that lifted the Pattern of Violations status from Pocahontas Coal Company — a move that may have violated federal law. The only way to have the status removed is to pass an inspection without "significant and substantial” violations.
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But there’s no evidence Pocahontas’ mine ever achieved that. In fact, the mine has continued to be cited for serious violations this year, including one issued a week before the settlement went final.
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The settlement itself was secret until an independent judicial agency questioned why secrecy was necessary (MSHA and the company unsealed their filings rather than provide an explanation).
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A former Obama official called the settlement “shocking” and “illegal,” and the head of MSHA under Obama worried it could undercut “the biggest disaster-prevention action taken” during the last 40 years.https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/chrishamby/under-trump-repeat-mine-safety-violators-have-less-to-fear?bftwnews&utm_term=4ldqpgc#4ldqpgc …
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What a shame for those who like and trust him, who he is exploiting in a very serious manner. SAD.
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He appealed to many mine workers with big promises, but his goals will always be on the side of corporations over workers.
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Yah, zest oont normal, isht nawt?
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Of course, he has. Trump's base is chump's base.
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Really....potus is going to protect big business and the top wealthy...wish the working poor could see this.
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