A bill to improve railroad safety standards and increase corporate accountability is facing an uphill battle in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

Passed by the House 141-62 earlier this month, it was introduced in the wake of a hazardous train derailment Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio, less than a mile from our border.

Among other things, the legislation would restrict train length, mandate two-person train crews, and create a database of hazardous materials traveling through the state by rail.

The bill now heads to the Republican-controlled state Senate for consideration, where similar proposals languished in committee without a vote.

The bill’s opponents, including the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, argue the proposed rules would burden business’ logistics and be preempted by federal law, according to an opposition letter the chamber sent to state lawmakers.

Of course they oppose the bill. It would have a financial impact on railroads and the businesses that use tracks to transport goods and materials across our country.

The rail industry and its allies have questioned the legality of the proposed measure. State regulators, meanwhile, are uncertain about their capacity to enforce its requirements.

Such increased oversight might not be feasible with the current limited resources of the state Public Utility Commission. Stephen DeFrank, PUC vice chairman, said the commission has just eight inspectors to cover 5,600 miles of railroad track.

That is ludicrous.

“We can’t wait for federal regulations which always seemed to be in the works but never quite get done, or for federal laws that will never ever see the light of day,” bill sponsor and state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-16th, said on the House floor. “We are the people’s house, ladies and gentlemen. That is who we serve. It’s time for extraordinary action.”

If the bill becomes law, railroad companies likely will challenge it in court.

Railroad companies “don’t want the state to regulate anything,” rail union attorney Larry Mann said. “They challenge every proposed regulation by any state.”

The East Palestine derailment devastated a small town less than a mile from our state. We don’t want to see a disaster such as that occur again.

We are well aware that lobbyists make pockets full of money to persuade legislators to support their causes. But it’s vital to keep this bill on track and do what’s best by putting the safety of the residents of Pennsylvania first.

— JGG