Congressman: Upper Branch Mine was "a powder keg"

A mine explosion last year could have been a manageable methane fire instead of a catastrophic disaster that killed 29, according to U.S. Rep. George Miller, the California Democrat who co-authored the Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act.

Mr. Miller spoke about the disaster on the House floor this morning, saying that miners had asked Massey Energy 560 times to address the accumulation of explosive coal dust, but management responded only 65 times.

"The Upper Big Branch Mine was literally a powder keg," he said.

Click here to view of recording of his speech.