Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

U. Utah prof. to lead mine safety commission
By Dustin Gardiner
Daily Utah Chronicle (U. Utah)
08/27/2007

(U-WIRE) SALT LAKE CITY — Longtime University of Utah law professor Scott Matheson will lead a new state commission to investigate mine safety following the cave-in of the Crandall Canyon Mine.

Gov. Jon Huntsman formed the commission last week in response to the mine collapse where six miners have been trapped since Aug. 6. Three rescue workers were killed and six others injured.

Matheson said the volunteer group of mining experts and politicians will focus on what the state can do to improve mine safety, not investigate what caused the Crandall Canyon Mine to collapse.

"It needs to be very clear what we've been asked to do," Matheson said. "We have to look at where state involvement is appropriate."

A handful of U law students will also be involved with the commission in researching legal issues relating to mine safety on a pro bono basis, Matheson said.

"This will be a great pro bono opportunity for them," Matheson said. "It's part of what we all at the university think is important."

He said the commission will examine what Utah has done to ensure mine safety, how officials responded to the Crandall mine collapse, what role the state can play in future incidents and how the state can aid in the relief of those impacted by mining accidents. The commission is scheduled to release a preliminary report later this fall.

"We're really starting at square one," Matheson said.

While some have suggested that the federal government has failed to properly enforce safety regulations in coal mines, an area that is generally out of state control, Matheson said he hasn't drawn any conclusions.

"I'm certainly not going to prejudge that issue at this point," he said.

Matheson is the former dean of the S.J. Quinney School of Law and the former U.S. Attorney for Utah. He ran against Huntsman for governor in 2004.

"When looking to appoint the best person in the nation to chair this important commission, I thought of no one better suited for this task than Scott (Matheson)," Gov. Huntsman said in a written statement. "He has the right background, methodical approach to problem solving and leadership necessary to lead this important commission."

Editor's note: This article is the first in a four-part series about the U's reaction to the Crandall Canyon mine cave-in in Huntington, Utah. Part two will run Tuesday.

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