Washington, DC-Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01) & U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today applauded a decision by our nation’s railroads to voluntarily implement an important hazmat safety measure included in legislation introduced by Norcross & Menendez in response to the 2012 Conrail derailment and vinyl chloride spill in Paulsboro, N.J.

As first proposed by the Toxics by Rail Accountability and Community Knowledge (TRACK) Act, railroads will now rely on federal emergency response guidelines in the case of an accident, and will remove materials that contradict those guidelines and could put the health of local communities and first responders at additional risk.

“When a train accident happens and every second counts, it makes no sense to have two sets of emergency response information on board—especially if that information is contradictory,” said Sen. Menendez.  “At best, it’s confusing for first responders.  At worst, less protective information could result in serious consequences for public health and human life.  That’s why I included this important measure in our rail safety bill and why I’m pleased the railroads have chosen to voluntarily adopt these standards, putting the safety of our emergency responders and the public first.”

“As the amount of toxic substances traveling by rail through New Jersey continues to rise, we must do everything possible to support our first responders who will be on the frontlines during an emergency,” said Sen. Booker, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate subcommittee charged with overseeing America's rail infrastructure.  “The toxic chemical spill and train derailment in Paulsboro in 2012 underscores the need to make rail safety a primary concern, which is why I joined my colleagues in fighting to make needed improvements that will help with disaster response and preparedness.  I applaud this voluntary commitment from our railroads which represents a major step towards better ensuring the safety of our first responders and our communities.”

“There are many lessons learned from the 2012 Paulsboro train derailment.  Adoption of this safety measure provides uniformity for first responders on scene when rail emergencies happen.  It’s critical that all our front-line emergency personnel have the tools they need to protect themselves and our neighbors from potential danger. Public safety is and must always be our top priority, and that’s why I advocated for this vital component of the rail safety bill,” said Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01).

The decision by the railroads follows a Government Accountability Office report, which Menendez, Booker and Norcross requested, that reviewed emergency response information in trains carrying dangerous materials.  That report reinforced findings made by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in its Paulsboro investigation.  

The NTSB found that Conrail had carried supplemental emergency response information that was less protective than the federal Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)—considered the gold standard for hazmat safety in emergency situations.  Conrail’s supplementary emergency information did not specify an initial evacuation radius for a vinyl chloride release without fire—precisely what occurred in Paulsboro.  And although the vinyl chloride in the Paulsboro incident did not result in a fire, Conrail’s supplementary information for that situation included an evacuation distance only half the distance of what is federally recommended.

Menendez and Norcross authored the TRACK Act to correct the failures identified by the NTSB and improve safety for our rail communities and first responders.  A key provision in TRACK mandated that railroads carry supplemental emergency response info only if it’s at least as protective as the ERG.

A separate provision stemming from the TRACK Act—a requirement that certain railroads that transport hazardous materials have real-time, electronic train information that specifies the identity, quantity, and location of all hazardous materials on a given train—was passed into law as part of the 2015 transportation bill, known as the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.

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Congressman Donald Norcross is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Budget Committee, and serves as Assistant Whip in the 114^th Congress.

 http://norcross.house.gov