Norton Introduces Bill to Reroute Hazmats Away from Urban Areas to Counter Trump Administration Repeal of Requirement for Braking Systems on Rail Cars Carrying Crude Oil

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, this week introduced a bill to direct the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to find ways to the greatest extent possible to reroute trains that are carrying certain hazardous materials from selected high-threat urban areas, including the District of Columbia. Norton said her legislation is particularly needed now after DOT's recent announcement that it will rescind a requirement that rail tank cars carrying crude oil be outfitted with an advanced braking system designed to prevent derailments. In 2016, 16 cars of a CSX freight train derailed in a dense residential neighborhood of the nation's capital and spilled sodium hydroxide, calcium chloride and ethanol, which is flammable.

"The Trump administration's senseless repeal of critical safeguards against dangerous train derailments requires my bill to reroute hazardous substances as a critical way to protect communities from the risk created by trains carrying these dangerous materials through densely populated areas like the District," Norton said. "There have been high-profile derailments across the United States and Canada, and Members of Congress may not realize that ethanol, which is flammable, still travels through big cities, and even within a few blocks of the U.S. Capitol. While I appreciate freight companies for working with DOT to voluntarily reroute the shipment of certain materials, Congress should enshrine this provision into federal law."

Norton's full introductory statement is below.

Statement of the Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton on Introduction of the Save Our Communities from Risky Trains Act

Ms. Norton. Mr. Speaker,

In light of recent train derailments across the country and ongoing transportation security threats, I rise to introduce the Save Our Community from Risky Trains Act, which directs the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to find ways to the greatest extent possible to reroute trains that are carrying certain hazardous materials from selected high-threat urban areas, including the District of Columbia. This legislation is needed now more than ever, especially given DOT's recent announcement that it will rescind a requirement that rail tank cars carrying crude oil be outfitted with an advanced braking system designed to prevent derailments.

Derailments of rail cars carrying hazardous materials are a serious concern and should be a priority of Congress. In 2016, 16 cars of a CSX freight train derailed in a dense residential neighborhood of the nation's capital, disrupting Metrorail, passenger rail, and freight rail service and putting families at risk. Among the derailed freight train cars, cars carrying sodium hydroxide, calcium chloride and ethanol—which is flammable and led to a Metrorail shutdown—spilled. The neighborhood was lucky that there were no injuries, but the continuing threat to the safety and security of urban communities is clear.

In 2007, the House passed the Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007, which included my amendment to protect the District and similar communities nationwide from dangerous hazardous material shipments by mandating that federal regulations and penalties be developed to increase security and safety for the shipment of these materials through high-threat urban areas. My amendment was not included in the final bill signed into law. While freight companies have begun working with DOT to voluntarily reroute the shipment of certain materials that are toxic or poisonous by inhalation, or explosive from these communities, there is no federal law requiring them to reroute the materials.

This bill would require the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations to require enhanced security measures for shipments of security-sensitive materials. The bill also requires railroad carriers to use the most secure route and storage pattern to avoid moving certain hazardous materials by rail through selected high-threat urban areas. These security sensitive materials include a highway route-controlled quantity of a Class 7 (radioactive) material; more than 25 kilograms of a division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosive; more than one liter per package of a material poisonous by inhalation; shipment in other than a bulk packaging of 2,268 kilograms gross weight or more of one class of hazardous materials for which placarding of a vehicle, rail car or freight container is required; and select agents or toxins regulated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

High-profile derailments in North Dakota, Virginia, West Virginia, and Canada demonstrate the need for this legislation. Ethanol, which is flammable, still travels through big cities, and even within a few blocks of the U.S. Capitol. This bill will protect our communities from the risk created by trains carrying hazardous materials.

I urge support for this bill.