Menendez, Norcross Introduce TRACK Act to Improve Hazmat-By-Rail Safety

Statement

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) today introduced the Toxics by Rail Accountability and Community Knowledge (TRACK) Act that will improve hazmat-by-rail safety by implementing a series of recommendations made by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in its thorough, independent investigation into the cause of the 2012 Conrail freight train derailment and toxic chemical spill in Paulsboro, N.J. Sen. Menendez first introduced this legislation last fall in the 113th Congress. Rep. Norcross will introduce the companion bill in the House.

"After years of study, the NTSB found that Conrail's actions after the Paulsboro derailment endangered the train crew, local residents and first responders. But, the report also gave us a roadmap for how to improve the safety of shipping hazardous materials by rail--and this bill turns those recommendations into action," said Sen. Menendez. "No legislation can change the events of that day, or fully bring back peace of mind to the residents of Paulsboro, but I hope this legislation can be one step towards righting the wrongs that occurred and to forcing the railroads that operate in our communities to put public safety at the forefront."

"Rail transportation is critical to our economy, so it must be safe and reliable," said Rep. Norcross. "Following the 2012 train derailment in Paulsboro and other preventable public safety emergencies, we must ensure that rail users take steps to minimize the risk of an accident and provide recourse to those affected when companies fail to do so. These NTSB-supported recommendations will improve rail safety and expand protections for first responders and residents who live along train routes. Going forward, I will continue to help secure our rails by fighting to get people back to work building, repairing and upgrading our nation's infrastructure."

Source