Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act of 2026

(u) Atmospheric monitoring systems

(1) Regulations required. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act of 2026, the Secretary shall, following consultation with the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, promulgate regulations requiring that each operator of an underground coal mine install atmospheric monitoring systems that—

(A) protect miners where the miners normally work and travel;

(B) will assist in mine emergency response and the conduct of accident investigations;

(C) provide real-time information regarding methane, oxygen, and carbon monoxide levels, and airflow direction, as appropriate, with sensing, annunciating, and recording capabilities; and

(D) can, to the maximum extent practicable, withstand explosions and fires.

(2) Content of regulations. The Secretary shall evaluate and, as appropriate, require—

(A) the installation of atmospheric monitoring and recording devices on mining equipment;

(B) the implementation of redundant systems, such as the bundle tubing system, that can continuously monitor the mine atmosphere following incidents such as fires, explosions, entrapments, and inundations; and

(C) the implementation of other technologies available to conduct continuous atmospheric monitoring.