Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says he’s taking steps to impose stronger regulations on freight trains hauling toxic chemicals, such as the one that derailed and exploded into flames near East Palestine, Ohio, earlier this month, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes and raising environmental and health concerns.
He’s also calling on Congress to “untie” the agency’s hands in regards to legislation that weakened the Department of Transportation’s ability to enforce certain safety and accountability rules.
Buttigieg accused the rail industry of employing “vigorous resistance” to increased safety measures, which he says has thwarted efforts to strengthen tank cars and mandate a better braking system on trains that carry volatile fuels, chemicals and other toxic substances.
“Profit and expediency must never outweigh the safety of the American people,” Buttigieg said on Monday. “We at USDOT are doing everything in our power to improve rail safety, and we insist that the rail industry do the same — while inviting Congress to work with us to raise the bar.”
Safety advocates say has Buttigieg been slow to respond to the rail disaster and the DOT has been slow to take up new rail safety regulations in the two years he’s been in the office. Buttigieg tried to shift the blame to the industry, suggesting its heavy lobbying led Congress to limit the DOT’s ability to act.
Republicans, especially, have called Buttigieg’s response to the disaster lacking. Buttigieg has pushed back, saying Republicans in Congress have watered down his agency’s rail safety efforts.
Buttigieg reiterated the need for stronger railroad safety rules and enforcement power in a Tuesday interview with Morning Edition.
“The investigation into root causes is being led by the National Transportation Safety Board. NTSB is independent, with good reason, and we will know more when they issue their final report,” Buttigieg said. “But it is not too soon to push toward a change in how industry approaches safety. And that’s exactly what we’re calling for today.”
He also said that people in East Palestine are “right to be concerned.”
He pointed to actions the federal government is taking, from the Environmental Protection Agency testing the air, water and soil to the Centers for Disease Control sending public health teams to the community. The EPA on Tuesday said itwould take control of the cleanup and train operator Norfolk Southern would have to pay the costs.
“This is an all-hands-on-deck matter where you have multiple federal agencies partnering with state government and local authorities to get these residents everything that they need,” Buttigieg said. “And that support is going to continue.”
