New York CNN —Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw returns to Capitol Hill Wednesday facing pressure to support rail safety legislation proposed in the wake of his railroad’s massive toxic spill from a February 3 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
“We support legislative efforts to enhance the safety of the freight rail industry,” was the only discussion of the legislation in his prepared remarks.
Shaw said the railroad would support increasing fines and penalties for people found tampering with railroad facilities and safety equipment, without endorsing proposals for potential fines on railroads found guilty of safety violations.
They said residents who live near freight rail tracks can’t depend on the railroad’s voluntary measures to improve safety.
Vance said it is important to raise the maximum fine for rail safety violations from the current limit of $225,455.