Senators Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Improve Rail Safety After Ohio Train Crash

Ben ZeisloftMarch 1, 2023

On Wednesday, Democratic and Republican lawmakers presented a bill that would increase safety restrictions. Trains Transporting hazardous materials

The legislation comes just weeks after the Norfolk Southern train that was heading towards East Palestine, Ohio, was derailed. All residents within one-mile of the February 3, incident were evacuated by authorities. started To lower the chance of an explosion, a controlled burning of chemicals on the vehicle produces massive plumes visible in eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania.

Sen. J.D. Vance (Republican from Ohio) and Sen. Sherrod brown (D-OH), introduced Railway Safety Act of 20,23. It would require rail companies that transport hazardous materials to report them to state authorities. It would also raise inspection standards and intensify defect detection efforts. Others who sponsored the legislation include Senator Marco Rubio (R–FL), Sen. Josh Hawley, Sen. Bob Casey and Sen. John Fetterman.

“Through this legislation, Congress has a real opportunity to ensure that what happened in East Palestine will never happen again. We owe every American the peace of mind that their community is protected from a catastrophe of this kind,” Vance said it in a Press release. “Action to prevent future disasters is critical, but we must never lose sight of the needs of the Ohioans living in East Palestine and surrounding communities. One day, the TV cameras will leave, and the news cycle will move on, but the needs of those Ohioans will remain.”

The Legislation This would increase civil penalties for rail safety violations tenfold. It also requires that every train operate with at most two-person crews. Every carrier must prepare a gas discharge plan for hazardous material transport and be subject to periodic inspections within the time limits. The legislation would require Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to list more specific rules. The Biden administration has On Similar reforms to be enacted by Congress

“The Norfolk Southern train derailment left Pennsylvania and Ohio families, businesses, and first responders grappling with a disaster that spilled hazardous materials in their community. It shouldn’t have happened here and it shouldn’t happen anywhere else in America,” Casey was added. “The Railway Safety Act will make freight rail safer, hold rail companies accountable for putting communities and workers in harm’s way, and protect people over profits.”

Washington raised concerns about increased scrutiny of rail companies following the train derailment. Buttigieg The White House has been “constrained” Rail safety due to a “braking rule withdrawn by the Trump administration in 2018 because of a law passed by Congress in 2015.” Jennifer Homendy, Chair National Transportation Safety Board Clarified Because it was classified as a ‘a’ train, the rule would not have been applicable to the train that ran sabotaged in East Palestine. “mixed freight train” Instead of a “high hazard flammable train.”

Federal investigators are currently investigating Concluded A malfunctioning rail wheel caused the derailment. “Surveillance video from a residence showed what appears to be a wheel bearing in the final stage of overheat failure moments before the derailment,” The NTSB stated in a Press release. “The wheelset from the suspected railcar has been collected as evidence for metallurgical examination.”