Rep. Kind Requests BNSF Railway Answer Questions about their Severe Weather Practices

Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind sent a letter to the Chairman of BNSF Railway requesting they answer a number of questions about what safety measures they have in place for severe weather. In September heavy rains caused a BNSF train to derail near Ferryville, WI, spilling about 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel near the Mississippi River.

“Given the severe weather Wisconsin has seen already this year and the upcoming winter weather it is vital that BNSF assures our local residents and communities that they are taking all necessary action to operate safely and prevent derailments like the one in Ferryville. I look forward to receiving a timely response from BNSF,” said Rep. Kind. 

Find a copy of the letter here.

Rep. Kind has long been focused on increasing rail safety. His legislation, the RESPONSE Act, to increase rail safety and provide needed resources for first responders, passed unanimously out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in September. The bill is expected to head to the House floor for a final vote in the coming weeks.