Norfolk Southern, USDOT, Congress are all targeted in Buttigieg’s requests

By Alan Wootton (The Center Square)

Nearly three weeks after the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, the National Transportation Secretary recommended ten improvements or changes.

Released early Tuesday morning, Pete Buttigieg made five requests specific to Norfolk Southern. His 10 action items include five attention to the US Department of Transportation and five requested actions by Congress.

Feb. 3, a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials derailed in a small town of just under 5,000 across the Pennsylvania border, and news coverage has intensified over the past seven days.

The rail industry, in defense of its safety record, said 99.9% of dangerous goods reach their destinations without incident. The accident rate involving hazardous materials has decreased by 55% since 2012, according to a message posted on Union Pacific’s website.

Five cars in Ohio were carrying vinyl chloride, a dangerous colorless gas. The decision of the controlled release and cremation on February 6 was heavily criticized.

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In a separate letter to Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw on Sunday, Buttigieg asked the rail company to work with rail car owners to quickly phase out the safety measures with the 2029 order on Tuesday. He asked the company to be proactive in notifying first responders of hazardous material shipments across states, rather than first responders looking at the information after an incident.

Buttigieg’s other three points involve labor. While lobbyists want greater use of technology, he asked that the human elements of inspections remain; protection from “retaliation” for workers who identify and call attention to safety problems; and paid sick leave.

USDOT, Buttigieg said, will launch two inspection programs, one dealing with routes and the other dealing with legacy tank cars. He said the agency will use Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds to modernize and improve tracks and crossings; And it follows the changes in rules including train crew staffing standards.

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Asking Congress to Allow Higher Fines by USDOT; To strengthen regulations covering dangerous shipments and expedite the phasing out of the Dangerous Goods Regulations, which are not mandated until 2029. Lawmakers are being asked for more modern braking regulations in the rail industry and to expand hazardous materials training for first responders.

Syndicated with permission from The Center Square.