EKB News

WEST VIRGINIA....
All Massey underground mines will close for the day Friday for increased safety training and mine safety examinations. Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship continues to defend his company's safety record, saying Massey "has a totally clear conscience" about the April 5th explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine that killed 29 miners. Blankenship says Massey and its experts continue to develop evidence that discredits the view of federal investigators who believe a buildup of coal dust underground made the explosion far worse that it otherwise would have been. Massey's safety record, already the subject of much criticism, has been under increased scrutiny since the explosion, but Blankenship says he's not concerned about increased scrutiny. He and other company officials vigorously defend themselves, saying Massey is a national leader on safety and never puts production ahead of protecting miners. Still, some shareholder groups have complained that Blankenship's leadership has not put safety first. "We're doing everything we can to comply better than anyone in the industry," Blankenship said. "We will outperform the industry."