WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today questioned witnesses, including the CEO of Norfolk Southern, the National Transportation Safety Board chair, and rail industry stakeholders on rail safety and how the February 3 train derailment impacted the East Palestine, Ohio community.

HIGHLIGHTS:

HIGH HAZARD: “I know that high-hazard flammable trains have more safety regulations. Why would this not have been characterized as a high-hazard flammable train if it had this hazard? Hazardous materials as part of the 149 car train?”

TRACK SAFETY: “We had a derailment in Cabin Creek a couple of years ago, where the track – it got cold and then it melted – anyway it derailed there with some hazardous materials. How are we doing on track safety? And what kind of improvements might be in the future?”

INSTANT COMMUNICTION: “When it showed that things were beginning to overheat the past 10 miles, does that information come directly to the engineer at the time? And why couldn't we do that in this day-and-age? We have instantaneous communications. Why is that not happening?”

BACKGROUND:

On March 9, Senator Capito, who also serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, helped lead a hearing on the environmental, public health and safety impacts, and decisions made in the immediate aftermath of the train derailment in East Palestine. Click here to watch Senator Capito’s opening remarks and click here to watch her multiple questioning rounds.