CONGRESSMAN GONZALEZ TESTIFIES BEFORE HOUSE RAILROAD SUBCOMMITTEE TO URGE FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION TO ADOPT NTSB SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS

[Press Release from Congressman Charles Gonzalez (D-San Antonio)

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Charlie Gonzalez testified before the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials rail safety hearing, regarding the ongoing rail safety problems in San Antonio, Texas.

In his testimony, Rep. Gonzalez highlighted the fact that despite overall improvements in rail safety, 1,344 accidents occurred in Texas, 94 in Bexar County alone. He noted, “the number of serious train accidents in my congressional district in or near San Antonio over the past few years clearly demonstrates the need for improved rail safety.”

San Antonio was the site of several major accidents from 2004-2006. In May 2004, a train derailment near Brackenridge High School resulted in three injuries and a 5,600-gallon diesel fuel spill along the San Antonio River. One month later, a train collision in Macdona, caused the rupture of a railcar carrying toxic chlorine gas, which killed the conductor and two residents living nearby. Several residents, including emergency responders and the train engineer were treated for respiratory distress. In November 2004, a train collided with Crystal Storage Company building on the east side of San Antonio, resulting in one fatality - a man sitting at his desk inside the building was crushed to death. Lastly, a 17-car derailment in October 2006 destroyed two houses that were unoccupied at the time.

Congressman Gonzalez stated, “the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) needs to implement the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations and it needs to do so quickly. The City of San Antonio cannot wait for another fatal accident before they act. They have the authority to issue the rules and regulations necessary to make our rail system safe and more importantly they have the power to hold the rail companies accountable for failing to comply with safety standards. It does the FRA no good to have this authority if they do not use it.”

The hearing is the first of two scheduled this week by the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials. Full Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar has authorized the subcommittee to hold a hearing in San Antonio this year to discuss rail safety issues in the area.