Altoona Times

Rep. Lou Schmitt of Altoona has introduced new legislation aimed at enhancing rail safety in Pennsylvania. This move comes in response to a recent train derailment in Ohio, which highlighted the potential risks associated with transporting hazardous materials by rail.

Schmitt stated, "Every single day, multiple trains with hazardous materials onboard move through the heart of the city of Altoona and other cities, towns and townships across Pennsylvania. As we have so tragically seen recently, there is a glaring need for stricter freight rail safety standards." He emphasized the necessity for state-level action despite federal regulation predominance.

The proposed House Bill 1126 mandates that freight trains be operated by two individuals within the locomotive cab. It also empowers the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to impose civil penalties on non-compliant rail companies.

Additionally, Schmitt introduced House Bill 1127 to restrict train lengths to 8,500 feet. He noted that increasing train lengths have raised safety concerns and contributed to traffic congestion and emergency response delays at crossings.

The Ohio derailment's effects continue to impact residents near the Pennsylvania border, with ongoing cleanup efforts and concerns about chemical waste disposal in Texas and Michigan. Schmitt remarked, "Clearly this incident is not just having a negative impact on where the derailment occurred. This is now affecting residents of at least three additional states."

He urged his colleagues to adopt preventative measures: "If the derailment itself wasn’t enough to warrant additional safety measures, surely its ripple effect should."

The bills are currently under review by the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee.