The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) recently voted 5-0 to adopt a motion that would enhance the commission’s rail safety requirements.
This marks the first time regulations have been updated since 2013.
The vote was conducted on the third anniversary of the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment. It acknowledges that Pennsylvania communities face risks associated with the transportation of hazardous materials through population areas.
“The East Palestine tragedy and other rail-related incidents highlight the need for stronger, commonsense safety regulations in Pennsylvania,” said PUC Commissioner Kathryn Zerfuss, who introduced the proposed rule change. “These revisions to our railroad regulations will ensure that the commission’s authority and responsibility are consistent with technological and operational changes that have reshaped the rail industry since 2013.”
The motion amends the state’s railroad transportation regulations at 52 Pa. Code Chapter 33 to include five rail safety enhancements:
Wayside Detector Systems, a network of electronic devices installed along railroad tracks to scan passing trains for safety and mechanical issues, must be properly installed, maintained and operational. The systems are not currently covered by federal regulations.
Railroad operators would be required to submit post-inspection compliance reports to the commission demonstrating compliance with applicable federal laws following inspections that identified defects and/or potential violations.
Federal law does have specific speed limits for trains based on the track classification and the train type. The motion would preserve the PUC’s authority to regulate train speeds when necessary to address local safety hazards, particularly at rail-highway crossings.
Railroads would be required to conduct an analysis of routes for high-hazard flammable trains and give the commission access to their emergency procedures for trains carrying hazardous materials.
Railroads would be required to provide the commission with information regarding which entities are responsible for bridge inspection, maintenance and repair on the rail-highway crossings under PUC jurisdiction.
“Since the train derailment in East Palestine three years ago, my administration has worked to protect the health and safety of Pennsylvanians, hold the railroad industry accountable, and ensure a derailment like this can never happen again,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said following the PUC vote. “My administration continues to stand with the people of Beaver and Lawrence counties, and that’s why we are working with Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to update our commonwealth’s rail safety regulations for the first time since 2013 and prevent the types of errors that led to this devastating derailment. Pennsylvanians deserve the peace of mind knowing we took action to keep them safe – and my administration will continue to take commonsense steps to protect our commonwealth.”
Pennsylvania has approximately 65 operating railroad companies, and approximately 5,600 miles of track, 5,600 public at grade crossings, 1,500 public highway above-grade crossings and 1,685 public highway below-grade crossings.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is tasked with ensuring safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates, protecting public interest, educating consumers on utility choices, advancing economic development, and fostering new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.
PUC’s Rail Safety Division handles applications/proceedings pertaining to the abolition, alteration, construction, relocation and suspension of public highway-railroad crossings to prevent accidents and promote public safety. It also handles complaints and conducts safety inspections at facilities for compliance with PUC railroad regulations and Federal Railroad Administration regulations.