Bergen Legislators' Train Safety Bill Goes To Gov.'s Desk

TEANECK, NJ — A bill sponsored by several Bergen County legislators requiring operators of trains transporting hazardous materials through New Jersey to have contingency plans in place has passed both legislative offices.

The bill sponsored by Senator Loretta Weinberg (D-37) now heads to Governor Christie for possible approval. Senator Robert Gordon (D-38) and Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle also sponsored the bill.

Operators would be required to submit a clean up, response and contingency plan to the state Department of Environmental Protection. Plans would need to be renewed five years. Operators would also to need to file their plan with the state Office of Emergency Management.

Operators would also need to release on their website the routes trains transporting such cargo would travel, how much cargo would be transported and update the information monthly.

Local emergency services personnel in municipalities along the train's route would need to be trained every three years.

The New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club, a national nonprofit environmental watchdog group, praised the legislation's passage.

"With up to 50 trains per week going through our communities, we cannot afford to play Russian Roulette with our environment and our people,” said Jeff Tittel, New Jersey Sierra Club director. "These trains are carrying extremely dangerous and volatile substances putting our communities and environment at risk."

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