Published December 1968 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
From the Office of United States Senator Robert C. Byrd 105 Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510 Volume VIII- Number 52 December 27, 1968 Byrd's Eye View A Public Service Column By U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd TAX INCENTIVE WOULD SPUR MINERS' HEALTH PROTECTION EQUIPMENT PURCHASES A bill which I will introduce will, hopefully, make it possible for coal companies to install improved miners’ health protection equipment in their mines at greatly reduced cost. The bill will provide an extra tax incentive to coal companies which install such health protection equipment. Presently there is a seven percent investment tax credit applicable on corporate income taxes. It applies on all new investment purchases made by a corporation during the year. My bill would simply double this seven percent credit when a coal mining firm purchases certified miners' health protection equipment. Thus, on the purchase of dust suppression equipment of the type designed to prevent pneumoconiosis among miners, a coal company would receive a 14 percent tax credit instead of the usual seven percent. I will sponsor this legislation because the need for additional safety in some mines is unquestioned. There are some people who contend that more coal mine safety laws are all that is needed. I do not believe this is the case. No matter how restrictive the laws, further safety improvements will always be possible and I feel they would often be gladly accepted by the coal companies were it not for the sometimes prohibitively high costs involved. It is to this problem that my bill will address itself. As to what would constitute "certified" miners' health protection equipment, this decision would rest with the Secretary of the Interior and the U.S. Bureau of Mines. These men are experts in the mine safety field and will be able to lay down suitable guidelines Hopefully, all of these steps will lead to safer mines at no loss of productivity in mining. - 30 -