WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins today issued this statement regarding the National Transportation Safety Board's recommendations for rail cargo safety as a result of the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic train derailment in Lac- Mégantic, Quebec last July.
"Today, National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Deborah Hersman called me to discuss safety recommendations NTSB will issue to the Federal Railroad Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). These recommendations are in response to a joint NTSB and Transportation Safety Board of Canada investigation of the tragic July 6th derailment of a Montreal, Maine & Atlantic (MMA) freight train in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, Canada, which killed nearly 50 people.
"I believe that many of the recommendations will go a long way toward strengthening the safeguards for transporting hazardous materials to prevent future accidents. As Ranking Member of the Senate subcommittee which funds the Department of Transportation, I will continue to work with the NTSB, the FRA, and the PHMSA to make certain that the railroads fully comply with the safety regulations and measures to prevent another disaster like Lac-Mégantic. Many of Maine's first responders heroically assisted in response to the MMA derailment. It is critical that the agencies collaborate with both first responders and industry while these recommendations are being considered. Safety is not a 'one size fits all' issue. Agencies and Stakeholders must look at these proposed recommendations together to make sure we are undertaking every precaution to save lives and to protect interstate commerce.
"I commend the NTSB for working with TSB of Canada to quickly address these issues. I will continue to work closely with NTSB and DOT."