U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE FOCUSES ON SAFETY PRACTICES AFTER TRAIN DERAILMENT

An upcoming hearing of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will focus on the recent train derailment on the Ohio/Pennsylvania border.  The chair of the Senate committee has asked seven railroads for detailed information about their safety practices for transporting hazardous materials.  Their reports are due by March 17th.   A controlled burn of toxic chemicals was conducted and hundreds of people in the area were evacuated after the derailment in early February.  Though officials have said that the air is now safe, residents have said they’re skeptical of that.  They also say they’re angry at the railroad and government officials.