Hochul calls for tougher laws to avoid repeat of Ohio train derailment
A large plume of smoke rises over East Palestine, Ohio, after a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern trains Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. About 50 cars, including 10 carrying hazardous materials, derailed in a fiery crash. Federal investigators say a mechanical issue with a rail car axle caused the derailment. (AP Photo / Gene J. Puskar)
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is calling on the industry and federal regulators to take action after the train derailment in Ohio.
Several things could help prevent freight rail hazmat disasters, Hochul said.
Those actions include expediting the phase-in of safer tank cars for hazardous materials in advance of the 2029 deadline, along with modernizing braking regulations and using electronically controlled pneumatic brakes.
She also wants to require railroads to notify state emergency response teams of hazardous cars moving through their state.
The governor also wants to expand state and local grants specifically for hazmat preparedness and response planning.