Transportation Department would like additional regulations in the wake of freight train wrecks.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said that he would pursue new train safety regulations after a string of recent freight train crashes that resulted in the spillage of poisonous materials in towns across the country. The largest one took place on February 3 after aging train safety mechanisms failed.
The resulting derailment led officials to do a controlled burn which caused a massive plume of fire and smoke to ignite over East Palestine, Ohio. Residents are still living less than a mile away from the many chemicals that came from the train, including vinyl chloride, which can cause cancer with extended exposure.
“This represents an important moment to redouble our efforts to make this far less likely to happen again,” Secretary Buttigieg said, calling on Congress to “untie our hands so that we can do more.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the transportation secretary as he seeks better regulation of toxic freight on railways.
- For members of Congress as they consider Secretary Buttigieg’s request.
- For the health of residents in East Palestine, Ohio, as environmental recovery efforts continue.
Sources: Reuters, Fortune
