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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 3, 2023 01:34 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Mandy Steele and Rep. Robert F. Matzie, Rep. Tarik Khan, Rep. Paul Friel, Rep. Jim Haddock, Rep. Brian Munroe |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Transportation of Flammable Gases and Toxic Chemicals by Rail |
| As we all know, recently, there was a catastrophic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which is located just across the state border from Beaver County, in which toxic chemicals were released into the air as well as local streams and waterways. To further complicate the situation, serious concerns regarding the possible failure of one of the tanker cars led to the controlled release and burning of the chemical vinyl chloride in five of the derailed train cars. While state and federal officials have maintained that the air and public water supply is safe, it is understandable that residents of Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania are concerned about the possibility of long-term health effects from the exposure to harmful substances. In 2015, the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued a final rule to codify hazardous materials regulations regarding “high-hazard flammable trains.” However, these regulations only pertained to trains carrying crude oil and other liquid fuels. Therefore, flammable gases such as vinyl chloride were excluded from the regulations, in spite of the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) recommendation that they be included. In addition, the NTSB recommended that trains hauling flammable gases utilize electronically- controlled pneumatic braking systems, which studies have concluded are more reliable than traditional air brakes, such as those used on the Norfolk Southern train that derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. In an effort to provide greater oversight of trains hauling flammable gases and toxic chemicals, we will be introducing a resolution urging the United States Congress and the United States Environmental Protection Agency to re-examine the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s hazardous materials regulations and make any necessary changes that would help to provide better protection to the public and environment. In addition, the resolution would urge Congress to pass the Decreasing Emergency Railroad Accident Instances Locally (DERAIL) Act, which would provide for the tightening of regulations for trains carrying hazardous materials. Residents located throughout the United States, such as those in East Palestine, Ohio, and nearby communities on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border, deserve better. Please join us in support of this important measure. |
Introduced as HR105
Memo Updated: March 3, 2023 01:36 PM