Legislation News & Report (TM) 

TheWeekInCongress.com (TM)

Managing America: Health & Safety

TheWeekInCongress.com (TM)

Week Ending November 2, 2007

HR 3877 Mine Communications Technology Innovation Act.

Finding that the failure of or lack of miner tracking and communications devices severely hampers rescue efforts in the event of a mine emergency, this bill would begin research, development and demonstration of products to accelerate improved mine communications and tracking technology systems.

The challenge is due to the lack of open air through which radio and WiFi signals easily travel, that coal tends to absorb the signals and that less than 10 percent of the radio spectrum used above ground can be used underground. Of that, only one percent is actually allocated for commercial communications purposes and the regulatory process is burdensome. In addition, some equipment works well in some mines and not in others.

The bill directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to provide grants to accelerate development of better communications and tracking products. The NIST Director may focus on systems that are likely to work in emergency situations, in all areas of a coal mine, that use wireless and hardwire connections, function as 2-way systems and that work with existing systems and can be quickly integrated.

Sponsor:  Rep. Jim Matheson (R-UT-2^nd)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote October 29, 2007

Cost to the taxpayers: The bill authorizes such sums as may be necessary through 2010. Actual spending will be set if Congress appropriates funds for the effort.

Earmark Certification:   Not applicable to this bill.

## All Rights Reserved. © 2007 TheWeekInCongress.com(TM)

No reproduction, language translation or distribution without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com.(TM)

MORE INFORMATION

Congress finds the following:

(1) The failure of miner tracking and communications devices or lack thereof in mines severely hampers rescue efforts in the event of emergencies.

(2) Mines, particularly underground mines, have properties that present unique technical challenges for the integration of currently available tracking and communications systems. These properties include the lack of a clear path or open air which is required for radio signals and WiFi. Additionally, because coal is an absorptive material, less than 10 percent of the radio spectrum that is used above ground can be used underground. A fraction of that (only about 1 percent) radio spectrum is actually allocated for commercial communications purposes. As a consequence, the availability of miner communication equipment is severely limited.

(3) Research and experience have shown that communications and tracking systems may not work equally well in every mine or in every emergency situation, and therefore several different systems may be necessary for development and integration.

(4) Because of the serious challenges of the mine environment and the limited market provided by the mining industry, much needed technology has not yet been developed by the private sector or is not commercially available in the United States.

(5) Furthermore, due to the regulatory structure of the industry and the lengthy approval process for mine tracking and communications systems, research must be accelerated so that next generation technology can be quickly and efficiently integrated into mines to protect the safety of miners.

(6) The National Institute of Standards and Technology is well positioned to help accelerate the development of mining tracking and communications technology. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has a long history of working in conjunction with industry to invest in longer-term, high-risk research which yields national benefits far beyond private payoff. Further, the National Institute of Standards and Technology builds partnerships with industry to leverage existing research and development to drive next generation technology.

(7) The National Institute of Standards and Technology is well-positioned to draft mining communications standards given the extensive work that the organization has done in the field of emergency communications to develop standards and technologies for interoperable wireless telecommunications and information systems.

(8) In developing such standards, the National Institute of Standards and Technology should work in cooperation with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Mine Safety and Health Administration to build on existing technology and knowledge regarding mine communications systems.

## All Rights Reserved. © 2007 TheWeekInCongress.com.(TM)

No reproduction, language translation or distribution without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com.(TM)