By Lisa Lambert

WASHINGTON, Oct 19 (Reuters) - President George W. Bush appointed former energy executive Richard Stickler to head the federal mine safety agency on Thursday, even though the U.S. Senate rejected Stickler's nomination twice in two months.

Bush made a "recess appointment," taking advantage of the congressional break to put Stickler temporarily in the position, a choice he made when he appointed John Bolton the ambassador to the United Nations.

Currently Stickler, who directed Pennsylvania's mine safety agency for six years, is a contracted adviser for the Department of Labor, which oversees the Mine Safety and Health Agency.

"Richard has extensive experience in mining and protecting miners' lives that he will use to strengthen enforcement of mine safety laws and help ensure the safety and health of miners nationwide," Labor Secretary Elaine Chao said in a statement.

Sen. Robert Byrd, a West Virginia Democrat, originally put a hold on the nomination for three months and it was automatically rejected when the Senate adjourned for its August recess. Bush then renominated him in September, but the Senate once again refused to act before it left for the pre-election recess.

Byrd and fellow Democratic Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts have said that Stickler, who worked for Massey Energy <MEE.N> and the former Bethlehem Steel, puts industry interests ahead of safety concerns. The United Mine Workers of America have also opposed the appointment.

The position has been vacant for more than two years, with David Dye acting as MSHA's temporary head.

The agency has been under scrutiny after 12 men died in West Virginia's Sago mine in January.

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