The year has started off tragically for the coal industry, which provides the fuel to generate half the nation's electricity. The deaths of 12 men in an explosion at the Sago mine in West Virginia - and nine more mining fatalities soon afterwards - have raised questions about whether the nation's 75,000 coal miners are adequately protected. Critics say the Bush administration rarely penalizes mine operators who violate safety rules. But the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) says its strict enforcement has led to the lowest number of fatalities in history - just 22 deaths in 2005 compared to 66 in 1990. West Virginia already has passed tougher state rules, and its congressional delegation advocates similar protections nationwide. Meanwhile, MSHA has issued new rules requiring coal operators to report accidents within 15 minutes and to stock more breathing devices underground. The agency also is testing the reliability of wireless communications and tracking technologies used in Australia but rarely in the U.S.

Pamela M. Prah is a veteran reporter who recently joined CQ Researcher after several years reporting in Washington for Stateline.org, Kiplingers Washington Letter and the Bureau of National Affairs. She holds a masters degree in government from Johns Hopkins University and a journalism degree from Ohio University.