Opinion: Oil trains need big enough crew for safety

(Source: Everett Herald opinion column by Derek Stanford and Mike Sells, February 19, 2020. State Sen. Derek Sanford, D-Bothell, represents the 1st Legislative District. State Rep. Mike Sells, D-Everett, represents the 38th Legislative District.)

EVERETT, Wash. — Some rail industry leaders have even expressed a desire to eliminate crews entirely, relying solely on technology to operate trains; even those with more than 100 tanker cars of hazardous materials traveling up to 60 miles per hour. Commercial planes flown in the United States are required to have co-pilots and additional flight crew members based on the nature of the flight route and cargo. Shouldn’t we require similar safety measures on trains carrying highly combustible materials through our communities?

Full story: www.heraldnet.com

Thursday, February 20, 2020