Toxic Trains Too Risky

Last week, a CSX Train carrying coal derailed and crashed into the Anacostia River. Fortunately, there were no casualties, and the relatively benign coal caused little environmental damage. But suppose the train cars were filled with a toxic substance? We may have been faced with one of the largest environmental disasters in the history of our city. This accident should serve as a warning and actually brings back memories of an incident in 2005.



After a tragic toxic spill in Baltimore, the City Council moved to pass a bill that rerouted trains carrying dangerous substances. The bill has not been implemented because of lawsuits by CSX and the federal government. But this accident should serve as a reminder to keep pushing as hard as we can to ensure that our railways are safe and our environment is protected.



My opponent in my upcoming City Council race, Carol Schwartz, opposed the rerouting of toxic trains, despite overwhelming public support to pass the bill. Her decision to oppose the bill was based on the costs of fighting the lawsuits. But how high a price would we have paid if those trains last week were carrying fuel? It's not enough to rely on CSX to make their own decisions. As residents, we need to fight on to ensure that our safety and our environment are protected.