Letter to Administrator Feinberg, Federal Railroad Administration - Rail Safety Policies

Letter

Dear Acting Administrator Feinberg:

I am writing to follow up on our discussion during your recent confirmation hearing regarding the importance of adding representation of local government and first responders to the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC). Derailments over the past few years have highlighted the importance of community preparedness programs and the critical role that local governments and first responders play in the planning of and response to rail incidents. I urge the FRA to ensure local governments and first responders have a seat at the table when it is considering rail safety policies that have a direct effect on communities along rail routes.

The steep increase in the overall volume of crude oil moving by rail requires a renewed focus by the federal government to ensure the safety of communities along railroad routes. The FRA's RSAC plays a critical role in this effort by drawing on the knowledge and experience of stakeholders in the railroad industry to advise and make recommendations to the FRA on critical rail safety issues. The RSAC includes important stakeholder groups such as railroad carriers, labor organizations, shippers, rail road suppliers and manufacturers, yet currently local government and first responder stakeholders are not represented on the RSAC.

In light of the significant increase in the frequency and volume of freight rail trains carrying crude oil through communities across the country, it is critical that the personnel responsible for safeguarding communities in the event of a rail incident play an active role in the development of rail safety policies. I believe that adding the voice of local governments and first responders to the RSAC will help ensure that the FRA's freight rail polices are sound and lead to improved safety for communities along railroad routes across the country.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue that is so critical to the wellbeing of communities across Minnesota. I am committed to working with the Administration, industry partners and community stakeholders to improve rail safety.

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