Specifically, the tax incentive legislation will give operators a 50% credit towards costs incurred by the purchase of qualified advanced mine safety devices such as emergency communication, tracking, emergency systems for oxygen generation and pre-positioned oxygen supplies and comprehensive atmospheric monitoring systems.

The bill, Improved Mine Safety Act of 2009, also amends an existing tax credit for mine rescue teams, making it larger, permanent and allowing the credit to be an offset against the alternative minimum tax.

The National Mining Association was the first to publicly praise the bill as well as Ellsworth’s efforts for the mining community.

“On behalf of the nation’s mining community, [we thank him] for introducing legislation to provide important investment incentives that will accelerate the introduction of new safety technologies, safety training and additional mine rescue capabilities into the nation’s mines,” said association senior vice-president of regulatory affairs Bruce Watzman in a statement Friday.

“US coal mining operators are working rapidly to develop and deploy new safety procedures and equipment, and Congressman Ellsworth’s legislation will help advance the instalment of the latest and most advanced technologies, while also improving the response capabilities of mine rescue teams.

“We applaud Congressman Ellsworth for his dedication and hard work towards improving the safety of coal miners both in Indiana and across the country.”