Schumer (center), with local officials, including Day (right)
HAVERSTRAW – Last week’s CSX train crash with a vehicle on the tracks in Haverstraw did not involve any crude oil cargo, but the rail line is a route for that supply and that brought US Senator Charles Schumer to Haverstraw on Monday to call for oil stabilization standards on the rails.
The senator said Rockland “dodged the bullet” this time, but called on the departments of Transportation and Energy to finalize the ongoing assessment of the need for oil stabilization standards. He also would like the quick implementation of new requirements that oil be stabilized before being shipped across New York.
“Railroad safety has been a long-standing major concern for me and everyone living in Rockland,” said County Executive Edwin Day. “There are numerous freight trains carrying highly flammable Bakken oil through Rockland County every day. We need legislation on both the state and federal level to make sure that the rail cars are the safest, most up to date available and the trains are moving at a safe speed.”
