WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tammy Baldwin is calling on House and Senate committees to include several oil train provisions aimed at increasing safety and transparency along Wisconsin's oil train routes. This, after two train derailments in two days in Wisconsin.
As U.S. House and Senate negotiators get to work on a long-term federal transportation compromise, Senator Baldwin is calling on the House and Senate conference committee to include several oil train provisions she has championed to increase safety and transparency along Wisconsin’s oil train routes.
“I have been sounding the alarm for two years on the need to put in place strong rail safety reforms. These two train derailments in Wisconsin are more evidence why Congress needs to take action on the reforms I have proposed,” said Senator Baldwin. “Today I am calling on the House and Senate conference committee to include the reforms I have proposed in the final transportation bill. We need to put in place rail reforms that provide safety, transparency, and better communication between the railroads and local first responders and communities.”
In July, the Senate passed bipartisan federal transportation legislation that included Senator Baldwin’s rail safety reforms. However, Baldwin says the House of Representatives has failed to act on the rail safety reforms. Last week, the House passed a long term transportation bill but it didn't include the rail safety measures that passed the Senate 65-34, Baldwin said.
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate are now working in a conference committee on a long-term federal transportation compromise.
“Wisconsin first responders should be applauded for their reaction to these derailments but railroad companies need to do more to strengthen communication with local communities before an accident occurs. We also need to require railroads to have adequate resources in place to respond to accidents that cause environmental damage. My reforms would address both these issues,” said Senator Baldwin. “I was proud that the Senate passed rail safety reforms in July but I am disappointed that the House did not. The House and Senate conference committee now has an opportunity to take action to advance rail safety reform and they need to seize that opportunity.”
The Senate’s six-year transportation funding extension legislation included several provisions championed by Senator Baldwin, aimed at increasing safety and transparency along Wisconsin’s oil train routes. Those provisions are as follows, according to Baldwin's office:
Transparency: Senator Baldwin’s amendment would require that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) keep on file the most recent bridge inspection report prepared by a private railroad bridge owner and provide that report to appropriate state and local officials upon request.
Real-Time Reporting: Senator Baldwin’s amendment addresses concerns raised by the first responder community who would like real-time access to information about hazmat trains entering their jurisdictions in order to better prepare. This amendment modified the bill’s original language that only required real-time hazmat train information to go to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Fusion Centers, who then provide the information to local first responders only in the event of an accident, when it is less useful. Senator Baldwin’s amendment requires DHS Fusion Centers to provide the real-time information to state and local first responders at least 12 hours prior to a hazmat train arriving in their jurisdiction. The transmission must include the train’s expected time of arrival.
In addition, the Senate legislation included provisions modeled after Senator Baldwin’s Crude-By-Rail Safety Act, which she introduced in March 2015.
Comprehensive Oil Spill Response Plans: The Senate bill requires railroads to maintain a plan for responding to a worst-case oil discharge. This provision is similar, but not as robust as the policy included in Senator Baldwin’s Crude-By-Rail Safety Act, which would leave much of the discretion of the contents and submission of the report up to the federal regulatory agencies. The provision included in the Senate bill instead defers to the rail carriers.
Rail Carrier Liability Study: The Senate bill requires the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to initiate a study on the appropriate levels of insurance for railroads carrying hazardous materials.
The full text of the letter is below: