Share:
House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 24, 2023 10:12 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Louis C. Schmitt, Jr. |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Limit the Maximum Length of Freight Trains |
| In the near future, I will be introducing legislation to limit the maximum length of freight trains. As we have repeatedly seen over the past few months, there is a glaring need for stricter freight rail safety standards. While it is true there have been no fatal accidents on freight railroads since the advent of Positive Train Control (PTC) in 2020, what we have not seen is any meaningful reduction in derailments. As a result, people have been exposed to toxic chemicals, some of whom have experienced adverse health effects. While we are limited in the Pennsylvania legislature as to what we can do since the federal government has jurisdiction over rail, we are not without recourse. My legislation, if passed, would limit freight train length to no longer than 8500 feet. It would also grant authority to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to levy civil penalties to rail companies who do not comply with the new law. Limiting train length will not only increase safety but will also help alleviate traffic jams at grade crossings, and I hope you will join me in cosponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB1127