freight trains
Ohioans in the U.S. House and Senate have introduced rail safety bills, how do they differ?
Ohio’s congressional delegation was quick to promise legislative action in the wake of the East Palestine train derailment. Now, lawmakers have introduced bipartisan measures in both chambers of Congress. In a moment of divided government and fever-pitch partisanship, it’s notable lawmakers from both parties came together to propose substantive policy changes. However, proponents could still […]
Ohio state senators hold rail safety hearing as pressure builds for federal action
This week Ohio’s U.S. Senators criticized Norfolk Southern for “putting profits over people,” and insisted their legislation presents a “time for choosing,” in a closely watched committee hearing. In Ohio, meanwhile, lawmakers held their own hearing on rail safety. Separately, the rail industry announced plans to install about 1,000 additional wayside detectors in response to […]
Will Norfolk Southern’s political spending help shield it from consequences?
Officials are all singing from the same hymnal. Republican and Democrat; state, local and federal; all agree Norfolk Southern will be, must be, held accountable for the train accident in East Palestine. Wednesday, U.S. Sens. J.D. Vance, R-OH and Sherrod Brown, D-OH, put pen to paper, introducing legislation for rail safety. But the company has […]
Federal, state officials weigh plans to increase rail safety
Ohio’s U.S. Senators have introduced sweeping rail safety legislation alongside four other senators from both sides of the aisle. Their Rail Safety Act of 2023 demands procedural and equipment changes, while increasing fines for violations and offering funding to spur improvements. Meanwhile, Ohio legislators met in the new Senate Select Committee on Rail Safety to […]
What Norfolk Southern’s accident reports say about the company and industry
Last October in Sandusky, a Norfolk Southern train derailed 21 cars and spilled 10,000 gallons of paraffin wax. In 2020, a Norfolk Southern conductor tried to pull out of a Rossville, Tennessee train yard while one car was still connected to an unloading tower. The accident released about 500 gallons of maelic anhydride — an […]
State, federal authorities ramp up war of words in East Palestine as recovery continues
Officials in both Ohio and Washington D.C. are putting pressure on Norfolk Southern to do right by the residents of East Palestine. In a handful of letters, they criticize the company’s response thus far and insist that it do more. A letter from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost notifies Norfolk CEO Alan Shaw that his […]
‘For them it’s just one train.’ A view from East Palestine and an update on response efforts
Angela Hacker’s East Palestine home backs up to the train tracks. “Literally, my fence goes up against the railroad tracks,” she explained. “And when this happened, the train was stopped by my house for three days until they backed it out.” “That was the safe part of the train, but still — when you see […]
Ohio Gov. DeWine calls for stricter regulations on railways after East Palestine derailment
Gov. Mike DeWine said Tuesday that it’s “absurd” the train that derailed in East Palestine wasn’t designated a “high hazardous material train,” urging U.S. Congress to change the current regulations. “We should know when we have trains carrying hazardous material that are going to the state of Ohio,” DeWine argued during a news conference. The […]
Passenger and freight rail projects in 32 states get millions from U.S. DOT
WASHINGTON — The U.S. government is doling out millions of dollars to railroad projects throughout the country in hopes of improving supply chains and passenger rail service. The announcement by the Biden administration of $368 million in Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements will go to more than 46 projects designed to improve safety and […]