Whereas, On February 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern Railway Company train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, spilling hazardous chemicals. Approximately 50 cars were involved. The spill killed wildlife, prompted hundreds of people to evacuate their homes, and caused many residents to complain about rashes, sore throats, and headaches; and
Whereas, On February 16, 2023, a Norfolk Southern Railway Company train derailed in Van Buren Township near a residential area 30 miles west of downtown Detroit. Approximately 30 cars were involved in the derailment, including one containing liquid chlorine. While no immediate environmental repercussions from this incident have been reported, this disaster could have been just as devastating as the derailment in Ohio; and
Whereas, On February 28, 2023, a Seminole Gulf Railway train derailed near Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in Florida. Six boxcars tipped over, including one carrying 30,000 gallons of propane. While the train was reported as being minimally staffed and carrying even more propane, the incident was luckily not as disastrous as it could have been; and
Whereas, The Federal Railroad Administration and the United States Congress need to enact policies to improve railroad safety and prevent further derailments from occurring. These policies should entail mandating two-person crews on each train, shortening maximum train lengths, ensuring better communication with local emergency management officials and first responders whenever transporting hazardous waste through communities, reducing the frequency of blocked crossings, reducing the length of time that railroad crossings are blocked by passing or standing trains, giving local governments the authority to identify emergency routes that cannot be blocked by passing trains, regulating defect detectors and trains, and requiring Class 1 rails to implement the Confidential Close Call Reporting System. Congress should also amend the United States Code to remove provisions preempting state laws that could enhance railroad safety; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we urge the Federal Railroad Administration and the United States Congress to enact policies to prevent accidents like train derailments occurring across the nation since the beginning of this year; and be it further
Resolved, That we urge the United States Senate to pass the Railway Safety Act of 2023 to enhance the safety requirements for trains transporting hazardous materials; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
Co-sponsored by Sens.
Adopted in the Senate by voice vote
