Michaud, Pingree Cosponsor Bill to Strengthen Emergency Responses to Rail Accidents Involving Hazardous Materials

Press Release

Congressman Mike Michaud and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree have signed on as original cosponsors to the RESPONSE Act--legislation introduced today that would help communities better prepare for derailments, spills, and other accidents involving rail cars transporting hazardous materials, particularly crude oil.

"In recent years, the amount of crude oil traveling through our communities by rail has skyrocketed. While we need to make sure rail companies use the right equipment and practices to prevent accidents, our communities also need to be prepared to respond if they do happen," said Pingree. "The RESPONSE Act takes important steps in identifying the weaknesses in our response plans, training, and resources, as well as steps to address them on both the national and local levels. In particular, small communities like ours in Maine would benefit from the best practices and resources that would come out of these discussions."

"We have heard time and again that one of the most important things we can do to mitigate the damage of an accident is increase the ability of local communities to respond quickly and effectively," said Michaud, who serves on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, and the Rail Subcommittee. "These best practices will help our communities and the first responders within them be better prepared for accidents. It will aid us in strengthening coordination, and help us ensure we have the tools and resources in place to effectively respond to accidents when they do occur."

The Response Act (Railroad Emergency Services Preparedness, Operational Needs, and Safety Evaluation) would establish a subcommittee under FEMA's National Advisory Council. The RESPONSE subcommittee would bring together agencies, first responders, technical experts, and the private sector to review training, resources, best practices and unmet needs related to emergency railroad hazmat incidents, particularly crude oil.

The subcommittee would also be charged with providing recommendations to Congress on a number of issues, including:
* The quality of training for first responders in small communities along railways;
* Effectiveness of funding levels for training;
* Lack of emergency response plans for rail;
* Development of a train incident database; and
* Improving access to useful, timely information for local responders.

Source