Coal

Black Lung

Senator Rockefeller has long been an advocate for coal miners, as well as thier spouses, who have suffered from Black Lung, a fatal disease where coal dust infiltrates the lungs. Rockefeller has sponsored legislation that would allow the 11,000 retired miners and their families in West Virginia to receive Black Lung benefits without re-filing claims or having to reprove their spouse died as a result of Black Lung disease. In an effort to speed up compensation to those affected by Black Lung, Senator Rockefeller filed legislation that would have streamlined the benefits process for miners and their families under the Black Lung Trust Fund.