Back in January Rep Deluzio (D,PA) introduced HR 854,
the Decreasing Emergency Railroad Accident Instances Locally (DERAIL) Act. The
bill would require DOT to change the definition of ‘high-hazard flammable
train’ (HHFT) and to require reporting derailments of involving toxic
inhalation hazard (TIH) rail cars. No new funding is provided in the bill.
This bill is essentially identical to HR 1238 that was introduced by Deluzio in February 2023. No action was taken on that bill in the 118th Congress.
Commentary
While the wording of this bill is relatively simple on its
face, this is a prime example of simple words hiding a complex result. Part of
that result in this case is intended, the notification requirements (even
though protected by the SSI classification) for HHFT have long been a desire
for local communities for all trains carrying hazardous materials. I have never
understood this desire, since most communities do not have the funds or
resources to plan, staff and equip in advance for an incident like that seen in
East Palestine, Ohio in February, 2023.
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