In Wake Of Poudre Spills, Markey Calls For Greater Hazmat Oversight
Press Release
In Wake Of Poudre Spills, Markey Calls For Greater Hazmat Oversight
Today Congresswoman Betsy Markey, a member of the House Transportation Committee, called for greater oversight of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). Rep. Markey cited the recent asphalt spills in the Poudre River during a hearing conducted by the House Transportation Committee to investigate slipping safety standards and neglect within PHMSA.
"In my own district, two tankers recently crashed into the Poudre River, which provides drinking water for two major towns in my district, Fort Collins and Greeley," said Rep. Markey. "The first spill dumped 5,000 gallons of tar into the river, and EPA contractors had to be brought in with cranes to lift large sections of asphalt out of the river. Within two weeks, a second tanker crashed into the same river--releasing 7,000 pounds of liquid asphalt and gallons of diesel fuel. Both drivers were cited with careless driving, and the main contractor is no longer allowed to have asphalt trucks on that highway until it can prove to the Colorado DOT that it has a safety plan in place.
Fortunately, in this situation, there was not a great threat to public health; however, I cannot imagine the repercussions if that asphalt had been a more hazardous chemical. I applaud the efforts of those who have helped to contain the effects of these spills into the Poudre River and I look forward to discussing and establishing increased oversight of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration."
"Two recent truck accidents in Colorado emphasize the need for PHMSA to follow federal law in hazmat regulation. I commend Rep. Markey for recognizing the importance of this issue to Colorado and her strong support for getting PHSMA back to making safety its number one priority," said Rep. James L. Oberstar, Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
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