Trains with hazardous materials should bypass populated areas
Editor:
As PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center has stated for years, the potential for an explosion from a train carrying what the local fire chief called “different quantities of products” puts millions of Pennsylvanians — and tens of millions of Americans — at risk.
Sadly, the fiery blast on the Pennsylvania-Ohio border is a stark reminder of the threat posed to our cities, towns and communities from trains carrying explosive materials across Pennsylvania and the United States every day.
We’re calling on state and federal officials to protect public health in our communities by subjecting freight companies such as Norfolk Southern to greater levels of inspections and oversight.
Ideally, freight companies should have to re-route trains carrying hazardous material away from populated areas. If they continue driving current routes, the public and first responders have a right to know about trains coming through their communities, we need to update and improve America’s ailing rail infrastructure and train companies need to get proper insurance policies to cover the cost of an oil train disaster and safety violation fines.
The freight train explosions, accidents and disasters that regularly occur across the U.S. and Friday’s
example in East Palestine, Ohio, show that time is of the essence.
We must act now to protect residents and first responders from the growing threat of trains carrying oil, chemicals, or any explosive or hazardous substances, and move toward a cleaner, safer way of life.
David Masur, PennEnvironment executive
director
Edgmont should refuse zoning change for Rose Tree Media
Editor:
What is the justification for buying land for an elementary school which is within approximately 1,200 feet from the Mariner East pipelines and 200 feet from Enbridge pipelines after rejecting eight other locations?
The written explanation from the Rose Tree Media School Board for rejecting the eight sites reads, “This is too close to gas and hazardous pipelines as per the pipeline map.”
No one with an ounce of sense could possibly argue that the health and safety of the children attending the elementary school at the proposed Edgmont site on the 1500 block of Route 352 was paramount when this decision was made.
Ensuring the safety, health and welfare of the children attending school, which everyone undoubtedly recognizes as our primary and ultimate responsibility as educators, parents and members of the community, was obviously ignored in selecting this proposed site.
What was the rationale for purchasing land for a new elementary school in Edgmont when, not only did zoning ordinances prohibit it but when, in addition, there is no utility infrastructure to support it? Specifically there is no sanitary sewer system available nor is there gas infrastructure accessible.
It is now the civic responsibility of the Edgmont Township supervisors to protect the health, safety and welfare of the Edgmont students and community and deny Rose Tree Media School District’s request for a zoning change.
Concomitantly, it is imperative that the Rose Tree Media School District immediately withdraw the proposed school site from consideration and initiate the process of selecting a location that promotes our children’s academic achievement as well as their safety and health.
These objectives are not mutually exclusive.