Comment Log Display

To whom it may concern,

 I am a 33 year old new business owner; I have worked extremely
hard to start a drilling & blasting company in Southern California
and am truly mortified at what the passage of this law would do to
my future. At this moment, there are enough regulatory flaming
hoops set in the path of anyone trying to start or even run a
successful drill & blast operation. From the federal to the local
level of government there is at least one mechanism to get money
out of you to do a business that is poignantly necessary for the
well being of the nation as a whole. 

 Considering that every American born is going to need roughly 3.6
million pounds of minerals, metals, and fuels over their lifetime
it is easy to understand that even if only the largest companies,
i.e. the largest producers, were forced to replace or re-power
their equipment. The cost will ultimately be passed on to the
consumers...

 This may not be a bad thing; we can all share the burden of super
clean air, to breathe free, hear birds singing, and watch rainbows!


 The tough part will be for the not so large companies and people
like me. Small business provides the majority of the "horsepower"
for the construction industry and in turn for the economy. By
placing such a cost intensive regulation on industry, you will be
choking off any chance for the little guy to prosper.

 Between this law and some coming down the pike from MSHA, I
simply cannot afford to purchase the equipment I need to work. A
drill costs about $100,000 used and at least 10 years old. If I
get one now, I will have to re-power it. Then in a year or two
MSHA says I won't be able to use it because there is no cab for me
to have A/C and a radio. Please do not pass this law. It is
completely ridiculous!

Yours truly

Walker Martin
President (for now)
C.L. Martin & Sons Const. Inc.
760 485 7290