December 9, 2019 3:20 a.m.
On Friday, Congressman Peter DeFazio, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, slammed a move by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to grant a Special Permit to transport liquified national gas by rail tank car from Pennsylvania to New Jersey.
DeFazio said news of PHMSA’s decision to “jump ahead of its notice on proposed rulemaking on moving LNG by rail” is “deeply disturbing”. DeFazio called the decision “reckless” and said it puts communities in harm’s way. DeFazio said not only has PHMSA failed to take the proper steps of testing, analyzing or reviewing “this unprecedented plan”, it failed to provide Congress and the public the opportunity to consider whether the permit’s operating conditions sufficiently addressed the potential safety implications. DeFazio said that opportunity is required by law.
In June, Congress passed DeFazio’s amendment to prohibit the Department of Transportation from finalizing the LNG by rail rule, according to his release. He claimed that President Trump intends to rush through that process in 13 months. DeFazio said, “I urge the Senate to work with us to put a stop to these irresponsible actions”.