Senator Roland Burris Announces Department of Labor Grant Funding for Illinois Mining Programs

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Funds Being Directed to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Rend Lake College

September 15, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States Senator Roland W. Burris today announced that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Rend Lake College in Ina, IL will be receiving $100,000 in Brookwood-Sago grant awards from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Funding will support the development and implementation of training materials for mine emergency preparedness and haulage safety. The following are descriptions of the funds being allocated to Illinois:

· Illinois Department of Natural Resources: $50,000 for the development of DVDs and online training materials on the use, care and maintenance of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus and the roles and responsibilities of Mine Rescue Team members.

· Rend Lake College: $50,000 for the reestablishment of Rend Lake College’s miner training program in Southern Illinois.

“I am pleased to see that these awards are being directed to Illinois mining activities.” said Senator Burris. “These projects will assist in implementing and improving important miner training and safety programs throughout Illinois.”

The Brookwood-Sago grants program was established through a provision in the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006. Training grants are awarded for a 12-month project performance period, and applicants must be states or nonprofit entities.

Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration

www.msha.gov

Source: Senator Roland W. Burris