The NJ Work Environment Council and allies celebrate the bipartisan vote in Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee to move A5605, which will make our railways, workers, and communities safer in New Jersey. There are over 1000 miles of freight rail lines in New Jersey, the most densely populated state in the nation. This bill will put measures in place to ensure trains carrying high hazardous substances traveling through our communities are doing so in a manner that minimizes a hazardous train derailment.

“With fresh memories of East Palestine, Ohio and New Jersey’s own history of a hazardous train derailment in Paulsboro, it is long past due that our state take the lead on train safety,” said Deb Coyle, Executive Director of NJ Work Environment Council. “Today’s committee action, thanks to the leadership of Chairman Benson and Assemblywoman Lopez, to move forward A5605 is the first step towards making our communities and rail employees safer.”

“The Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey (PFANJ) has long advocated for increased safety and transparency to protect our Firefighters and EMTs who respond to rail emergencies. The potential impact of a rail disaster similar to that of East Palestine, Ohio, would be far more devastating if it occurred within our state borders,” said Steve McConlogue, President of the Professional Firefighters Association of NJ. “We proudly stand with our partners at the NJ Work Environment Council and our fellow unions in support of legislation that provides the safeguards and measures to protect those who work in this industry. These measures can be accomplished while preserving national security and respecting the importance of the rail freight industry to our state, national and global economy.”

“The Coalition to Ban Unsafe Oil Trains supports A5605,” said Paula Rogovin of the Coalition to Ban Unsafe Oil Trains. “It is urgent that our State Legislators pass this rail safety bill that will provide protections to the public, rail workers, and first responders. On July 6 we will mark the 10th Anniversary of the tragedy in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, where a train carrying Bakken crude oil derailed, killing 47 children and adults and destroying the downtown. More recently the world saw the derailment of a train carrying volatile vinyl chloride in East Palestine. These tragedies can be prevented. We need our elected officials to show they really care about our safety, our lives and to step up and pass this legislation.”

“The safeguards in this bill will help protect thousands of New Jersey families from the dangerous chemicals moving through their communities every day,” said Alex Ambrose, Policy Analyst, New Jersey Policy Perspective. “Let’s not forget that the train that derailed in East Palestine was headed to South Jersey and could have just as easily exploded here. This common sense legislation is needed to keep New Jersey safe and prevent another freight train disaster from happening.”

“Today’s action on A5605 is the first step to our state taking preventative action on rail safety,” said Drew Tompkins, Director of Advocacy and Policy for NJ Work Environment Council. “If a disaster like East Palestine happened in New Jersey, and it could have been prevented with the steps in this bill, we know from experience that we would be back in front of lawmakers asking why something wasn’t done when we had the option.”

This bill – A5605 – addresses various railroad safety provisions including:
• Actions to be taken if a high hazard train experiences a discharge
• Limits on train length
• Installation and review of wayside detector systems
• At least a two-person crew on all hazard trains.
• All high hazard trains clearly display the name of the rail company that owns
• the train
• prohibits any railroad company from operating any train that exceeds 8,500 feet in length on any main line or branch line within the State.
• The Commissioner of Environmental Protection is required to, at least annually, request a copy of the most recent bridge inspection report for every bridge owned by a railroad or upon which a railroad is located.
• Following a discharge that requires emergency response action, the owner or operator of a high hazard train is required to meet certain milestones at certain time periods.