Members of Oregon’s Congressional Delegation introduced today the bipartisan Community Protection and Preparedness Act (H.R. 5786), legislation that creates a new trust fund to help communities prepare for accidents involving rail cars transporting flammable liquids, including crude oil and ethanol.
The legislation was sponsored by Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and co-sponsored by Representatives Greg Walden (R-OR) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR).
The Community Protection and Preparedness Act would allow the fund to be used for emergency response and clean up after rail accidents involving flammable liquids. The fund would also be used to issue grants to help prepare and protect communities along rail lines. The legislation would require railroads to inspect certain tracks in high consequence areas, such as near waterways, for defects on foot.
A high consequence area is defined as a high population area, a concentrated population area, an unusually sensitive area, including drinking water or ecological resource areas that are sensitive to environmental damage, or a commercially navigable waterway. On June 3rd, 16 rail cars from a 96-car Union Pacific crude oil train derailed near Mosier, Oregon on a stretch of defective track that was inspected by employees by vehicle.
In addition, the legislation would also require that railroads periodically use gage restraint measuring systems to measure shifts in the rails and detect weak ties and fasteners. It also authorizes funding for the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to hire additional track safety specialists.
“Oregon communities — especially ones like Mosier in the Columbia Gorge — deserve the highest level of safety from railways and rail cars,” Walden said. “And they certainly shouldn’t be on the hook for damage caused by a train derailment or spill. This bipartisan plan would boost inspections, help phase out older, unsafe rail cars, and protect lives and property. It continues strong efforts by the Oregon delegation to protect the people who live in communities near railroad tracks, as well as the natural beauty of the place we call home. I’m proud to support it.”
