Alpha Natural Resources Inc’s decision to retain top executives of Massey Energy Co owner of the West Virginia coal mine where 29 workers died last year is being questioned by two Democratic lawmakers.

Representatives Mr George Miller and Lynn Woolsey, California Democrats in a letter to Alpha chief executive officer Kevin Crutchfield said that "Keeping miners safe requires not only compliance with minimum safety standards, but also a culture where senior managers place safety ahead of production in practice, not merely words. That approach was not followed at Massey Energy, which cost many miners their lives."

According to an April 15th 2011 letter to employees cited by Miller and Woolsey, Alpha will retain Massey CEO Baxter Phillips, Chief Operating Officer Chris Adkins and General Counsel Shane Harvey. The lawmakers, members of a House committee that oversees mining issues, said they are troubled by indications that Alpha thinks that miners are fairly served by perpetuating Massey’s safety culture for even one minute longer.

According to the report, West Virginia investigator on May 19 found that Massey is to blame for the fatal explosion at its Upper Big Branch mine last year, the deadliest US mining disaster in 40 years. The disaster was preventable had Massey followed basic, well-tested safety-procedures.

Massey disagreed with the state conclusion that a buildup of coal dust led to the blast. Harvey on May 19th 2011 said the company believes a massive inundation of natural gas is to blame.

(Sourced from Bloomberg)