The Peru Gazette

From the Office of Congressman Bill Owens 

WASHINGTON—Today, Representatives Bill Owens (NY-21) and Kevin Cramer (ND-at large) pushed the federal government to protect communities located near the nation’s railways from dangerous materials transported by unsafe rail cars.

“Recent accidents in the United States and Canada are warning signs that the nation’s railways currently lack adequate protections for Americans living near railroads where trains carry hazardous materials,” Representative Bill Owens said.“New Yorkers deserve sensible guidelines that strike a balance between maintaining public and environmental safety and meeting the needs of the businesses that rely on rail infrastructure to grow, create new jobs, and compete in the global economy.” 

Rep. Kevin Cramer represents North Dakota’s Congressional District. “The increase in rail transportation as America advances toward energy security and recent derailment incidents make it clear rail safety needs to be a national priority,”Rep. Kevin Cramer said. “The preliminary report released today on the Casselton derailment confirms the need for updated rail car construction standards, and future documents will no doubt reveal the need for more improvements. The federal government should move swiftly to provide the clarity necessary for the transportation industry to better protect the public and keep our economy growing,” 

In a letter to the administrators of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the bipartisan pair of congressmen called for reforms that address findings from recent rail accident reports including: design flaws in the DOT-111 tanker car; the need for increased inspections and oversight of hazmat classifications; and updates to the operational practices, including speed limits, of freight trains transporting hazardous materials.

Owens and Cramer cited the derailment of a coal train in British Columbia this weekend, the recent derailment of a train in Casselton, North Dakota, an Alabama derailment and the tragedy in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, Canada as examples of the consequences of inaction. They also called for improved government coordination that equips first responders and hazmat teams with the training and supplies they need to protect the public when accidents occur.

“I look forward to working with my constituents, leaders in the transportation industry, my colleagues in Congress, and regulatory agencies to make sure we are living up to our obligation to protect our communities,” Representative Owens said. 

This letter is the latest in an ongoing series of correspondence Representative Owens initiated following reports that design flaws in the DOT-111 rail car contributed to the catastrophic loss of life and destruction of property after an unattended, runaway train carrying crude oil in DOT-111 cars derailed in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, Canada. After derailing, the tankers exploded, killing 47 people and leveling surrounding buildings.

In addition to the FRA and PHMSA, Owens has corresponded with CSX and the National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates transportation accidents and makes recommendations to prevent future accidents.