Congresswoman Lowey and Local Officials Call for Crude Oil Transport Safety

Press Release

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland), joined by State Senator David Carlucci, Rockland Sheriff Lou Falco, County Legislators Chair Alden Wolfe and Harriet Cornell, Clarkstown Town Supervisor Alex Gromack, and Clarkstown First Responders, today called on the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) to strengthen and enforce safety standards for the transport of crude oil by rail through the Lower Hudson Valley.

"We have had too many close calls that demonstrate the real risk of current crude oil transport standards to public safety and our environment," said Congresswoman Lowey.

"While the railroad industry and the Department of Transportation have taken some good steps by agreeing to voluntary safety standards, the federal government must ensure that enforceable regulations protect the public. From better planned routes to more comprehensive response plans to sharing information with our local first responders and safer tank cars, more must be done to protect the public and prevent a major incident. With bipartisan support at every level of government from coast to coast, it's time to take action to ensure freight rail is safe."

Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx appeared before the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development on Wednesday of last week. Lowey, the Ranking Democratic Member of the Committee, attended the hearing, where bipartisan concern was raised about the transport of freight rail, just two weeks after she urged Foxx in a letter to enact National Transportation Safety Board recommendations and move forward with the rule-making process for safety standards for rail cars. (Full text of letter Lowey sent with New York Congressman Paul Tonko at end of release.)

In addition to new rules, Lowey fully support DOT's proposal to establish a new "Safe Transportation of Energy Products" Fund at $40 million to address the critical safety issues that arise in the transportation of crude oil. This request was included in the President's budget proposal on March 4th.

The December and February freight rail accidents in West Nyack and Kingston revealed the need for greater prevention methods and better cooperation from the freight rail industry to notify area first responders of the contents and timing of transport through our communities. At the Pineview Road site of the December collision between a freight train and a car carrier, Lowey and Rockland officials pointed to the dangerous risk oil-carrying trains pose to local communities and called for safety regulations to prevent future catastrophes.

"Freight trains carrying crude oil and other hazardous liquids are going through communities near homes, schools and hospitals," said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, whose regional representative attended. "A derailment or explosion in New York could put countless lives at risk and cause major damage to our waterways. We need new guidelines to improve oil tanker safety, and far more accountability and transparency to protect public health, safety and the environment. And our local first responders need to know when hazardous materials are travelling through their communities, and have the proper training and resources to respond to incidents."

"In light of the recent train accident on Pineview Road in Clarkstown, it is clear that more stringent regulations are needed," said Clarkstown Supervisor Alex Gromack. "I thank Congresswoman Lowey for her efforts in ensuring that the federal government impose stricter safety regulations so that we can better protect our residents and properties."

"We are very appreciative to Congresswoman Lowey for bringing these safety matters to the forefront so we can work together to solve them," said Clarkstown Police Chief Michael Sullivan.
"For the public's safety and First Responder safety (Fire/Police/EMS), we in Rockland County have to be afforded train locations (times and dates) and all contents of the rail cars along with safe operation within the speed limits established by the Federal Railroad Authority," said Rockland County Sheriff Lou Falco.

Senator David Carlucci said, "Thousands of tanker cars pass through our residential neighborhoods carrying highly dangerous crude oil and ethanol every year. It doesn't take an engineer or a scientist to realize this will eventually lead to a disaster with potentially deadly consequences. Making sure we have safe and technologically advanced tanker cars is common sense that we know these big oil companies can afford. For our community to accept anything less is unacceptable."

"As transportation of crude oil continues to increase through our county and our tracks, safety and precautionary measures must be the top priority. I applaud the Governor for his decision to call for a review of safety concerns and Congresswoman Lowey's insistence on stricter measures," said Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski. "The incident we saw in West Nyack in December of last year was a wake-up call. If these trains are going to be running through our backyards, we demand the strongest safety protocols possible."

"I thank Congresswoman Lowey for her leadership on this vital matter of public health and safety," said Chair of the Rockland County Legislature, Alden Wolfe. "We must be mindful of the threat that hazardous liquids, especially the highly flammable Bakken crude, pose to the safety of all those in Rockland who live or work near the CSX tracks. These trains travel on a track that in sections runs less than 100 feet from our county reservoir, Lake DeForest. A spill resulting from an accident could have a disastrous effect on drinking water for tens of thousands of Rocklanders countywide. The regulations the Congresswoman has called for are essential; I support her request for lowering speed limits and putting safer tanker cars into service as soon as possible. Stricter regulations are a small price to pay for the health and safety of the residents of Rockland County."

Wolfe and Chair of the Legislature's Environmental Committee Harriet Cornell will submit a resolution in support of Congresswoman Lowey's recommendations and have sent a letter to USDOT in support of Lowey's call for stricter regulations.

Cornell said, "While crude oil by rail is a major safety concern here, we also experience oil transport by boat, barge and truck. As the oil boom continues to grow, the dangers to the health and safety of residents and environment will multiply. The federal government must enact safety measures and move rapidly to replace DOT-111s."

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