Hazmat Rerouting for D.C. on its Way to House Floor (3/13/07)

Washington, DC-An amendmentCongresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) has pressed since 9/11 to protectthe District of Columbiaand other communities nationwide from dangerous hazardous material (hazmat)shipments was included in a rail security bill passed by the full Homeland SecurityCommittee today. The amendment requires the Department of Homeland Security(DHS) to mandate rerouting of very toxic substances in selected highlyvulnerable jurisdictions, such as the National Capital Region. Inaddition, the bill has $20 million specifically authorized for upgrades andsecurity at Union Station, which Norton got approved earlier this month by thenew transportation security subcommittee of the Homeland Security Committee onwhich Norton also serves.

Norton'sconcern about dangerous rail shipments that travel near D.C. neighborhoods andthe Capitol complex, risking the lives of tens of thousands of people, andabout possible rail disasters elsewhere, prompted her, and later the D.C. CityCouncil, to seek remedies. As a member of the Homeland SecurityCommittee, she was the chief sponsor of the Secure TRAINS Act in the 109thCongress, to increase protection for public transportation, including Amtrak,Metro and buses, which lags far behind air travel security in federal support. Norton also sought additional amendments to compel rerouting in appropriatecases. When Congress failed to act, the District passed an emergency banlast year that prohibits toxic material shipments within two miles of the U.S.Capitol complex. The ban was put on hold pending the result of a lawsuitby CSX, still in progress. CSX agreed to reroute some trains and D.C.agreed not to enforce the ban, pending a decision in the court case, butneither Norton nor the District has been able to secure details on thererouting. Norton praised the District for taking the initiative, withoutthe necessary help from the federal government, to protect residents here andin the region, as well as federal employees.

Theunderlying bill that passed today--the Rail and Public Transportation SecurityAct of 2007--is a comprehensive rail security bill that mandates DHS to developregulations and penalties to increase the security and safety for Amtrak,Metro, buses and similar systems nationwide. Security plans mandated inthe bill must include a strategy for implementing enhanced security forshipments sensitive materials.