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Pennsylvania State Senate
05/14/2024 05:11 AM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20230&cosponId=40032
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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: March 2, 2023 12:48 PM
From: Senator Doug Mastriano
To: All Senate members
Subject: Establishment of the Train Derailment Emergency Grant Program
 
Soon, I will be introducing legislation which will establish an emergency grant program for PA residents who have been negatively impacted by the East Palestine Train derailment and subsequent chemical release.  

On February 23rd, the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee heard powerful testimony from residents who have their lives turned upside down since the derailment.

Residents have expressed fears that they may never feel comfortable living in their communities again. Small business owners have had their livelihoods vanish as once reliable customers stay away from the area. Farmers are struggling to sell their products on the market to customers wary of any food products grown and produced in the derailment area.

The citizens of the areas impacted by the train derailment did not ask for this. Businesses will be shuttered, property values will plummet, and personal medical expenses will accrue.

I believe the General Assembly needs to take a proactive approach to ensure citizens will be provided with the resources they need to get back on their feet.

The Train Derailment Emergency Grant Program will be administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA). PEMA will establish an application program and evaluate grant requests from affected individuals. The application approval process will take factors into account such as: proximity to train derailment, relocation expenses, medical expenses, and loss of business for small business owners and local farmers.

Interagency fund transfers, federal funds, and monetary damages from any individuals or entities responsible for the train derailment along with forthcoming settlements will be deposited into the grant program for use in Pennsylvania. 

This disaster occurred in a working-class region where many residents are of modest means. The emergency grant program will directly help those who have been impacted the most.

Please join me as a co-sponsor. 
 


Introduced as SB508