September 18, 2019 3:55 a.m. 
Congressman Peter DeFazio, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, has introduced legislation that he says would require a comprehensive review into the transport of liquified natural gas by rail tank car within the United States.
The bill, co-introduced by New Jersey Representative Tom Malinowski, is in response to an executive order issued in April by President Donald Trump which directed the Secretary of the Department of Transportation to authorize the movement of LNG in rail tank cars within 13 months. A release from DeFazio said in June, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and the Federal Railroad Administration took steps to allow LNG to move by tank car. DeFazio said that is despite having little information about the possible risks to local communities.
DeFazio said “the administration’s absurd plan to allow trains of up to 100 cars filled with LNG to move by rail is extremely reckless”. He said that putting LNG into rail cars and moving it through populated communities presents a “significant risk to the safety of the public and of the environment, with the possibility of catastrophic consequences”.
DeFazio said the proposed legislation ensures full disclosure, thorough scientific analysis of risks before the administration can move forward with their proposal.
The release said the legislation requires FRA and PHMSA to conduct extensive safety testing of rail tank cars to determine whether existing cars are suitable for the safe movement of LNG. It also requires the agencies to consider operating conditions and benefits to the public and environment, and once those are complete, requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct an independent evaluation to ensure all review requirements have been satisfactorily met, according to the release.