Because, quite frankly, rail companies don't have much of a long term. Or at least it's little different than the short term. Expansion of the rails is very difficult. A thousand train derailments is likely cheaper (to them) than actually fixing rails. So why not continue in this manner? And then this happens, which is going to be very expensive, except the train companies already planned for this with lobbying. The train company needs to be completely responsible for cleaning this up, just like oil companies are (definitely some iffiness here on actual payment, but you get the idea) for spills.All that matters to the US rail companies is quarterly earnings, not the long term.
Triangle Shirtwaist isn't just about lack of regulation. It's also about inadequate punishment for violating the NAP. The wrongful death payouts were way too low: it ought to have beggared them. Then the problem would have been solved.Yeah, this is what deregulation and the free market lead directly to if the government doesn't keep a choke chain on its dog.
Rail companies and their infrastructure double as national defense assets; they aren't going anywhere, no matter how badly run or managed they are.Because, quite frankly, rail companies don't have much of a long term. Or at least it's little different than the short term. Expansion of the rails is very difficult. A thousand train derailments is likely cheaper (to them) than actually fixing rails. So why not continue in this manner? And then this happens, which is going to be very expensive, except the train companies already planned for this with lobbying. The train company needs to be completely responsible for cleaning this up, just like oil companies are (definitely some iffiness here on actual payment, but you get the idea) for spills.
And how is that an excuse to insurance companies? Few big payouts like that with hazmat accidents and they would have a damn good reason.Because unlike aircraft and ships, trains are much more fixed to specific infrastructure, which is owned by a decreasing number of companies, and new rail lines can take decades to get approved, never mind built.
And that's before you get to the overworked, underpaid, and nearly wage-slave conditions some railroads operators in the US force on their employees.
That sounds like a classic lefty excuse. Especially with how rail company problems are pretty damn common all over the world, state, private or hybrid. You would struggle to find more than few countries where rail companies have well functioning hardware and satisfied workers, but finding countries where workers constantly threaten strikes and the hardware is shitty is absolutely easy.All that matters to the US rail companies is quarterly earnings, not the long term.
Look, I wish I had the answers for why US rail operations are such a clusterfuck, but the plain fact is the US rail system and mindset around rail transport is vastly different from Europe, and you guys tend to put more...effort and thought into long term rail longevity than we do.And how is that an excuse to insurance companies? Few big payouts like that with hazmat accidents and they would have a damn good reason.
If existing rail lines run like shit, no wonder new ones get easily stuck on red tape and have issues with funding.
Especially when they can and probably do jump on the green grifting for extra money.
Why can't they raise prices to fix both problems?
Competition perhaps?
That sounds like a classic lefty excuse. Especially with how rail company problems are pretty damn common all over the world, state, private or hybrid. You would struggle to find more than few countries where rail companies have well functioning hardware and satisfied workers, but finding countries where workers constantly threaten strikes and the hardware is shitty is absolutely easy.
Insurance companies do not work the way most people on the ground imagine.And how is that an excuse to insurance companies? Few big payouts like that with hazmat accidents and they would have a damn good reason.
Oh do we?Look, I wish I had the answers for why US rail operations are such a clusterfuck, but the plain fact is the US rail system and mindset around rail transport is vastly different from Europe, and you guys tend to put more...effort and thought into long term rail longevity than we do.
It sure seems like it; I think it's because the average Euro uses trains a lot more than the average person in the US.Oh do we?
As i said...
Failure to invest has left Britain’s railways in a mess | Letters
Letters: Delays and cancellations are the result of a failure to modernise rail infrastructure, writes Derek Buttivant. Plus Rob Dark on the £8.3bn lost to dividend paymentswww.theguardian.comPoor infrastructure stops France from exploiting alternatives to fuel-guzzling cars, trucks
Although 90% of all goods in France are transported by road compared to the EU average of 75%, more eco-friendly alternatives, like rail and river transport, cannot fully be exploited due to the poor infrastructure currently in place.www.euractiv.comWhy are Europe’s railways a mess? Our public diagnosis of the problem falls short | EU | Before It's News
Another day, another earnest column in a broadsheet newspaper listing the problems with Europe’s railways – this time it’s Die Zeit. We should fly less, we need more high speed trains, we need more night trains, plans for more have come to nothing, why is infra investment in Germany so slow,...beforeitsnews.comSNCF Strike & France Train Strike Dates 2024: Info and Best Tips to Survive | France Bucket List
All about train strikes in France February 2024 and top tips: SNCF strike February 2024, TGV strike February, and other French train strike datestravelfrancebucketlist.com
Most major EU countries have one or both problems too.
Rail is far more important for freight than passenger transport in sheer scale (and that's with massive shilling by the greens), which is usually done by separate lines anyway because no one wants to spend hours in a train lagging behind some super slow bulk cargo train.It sure seems like it; I think it's because the average Euro uses trains a lot more than the average person in the US.
Again, you are idealizing the grass on the other side of the fence.Sure problems exist, however alternative routes and companies exist as well in quantity in Europe; not some much in the US. Here we have Amtrak and freight rail, and that's about it, and the freight rail is nearly monopolized as is.
Many blame the precision scheduled railroading along with cutting costs in maintenance, for such state of matters in a first world nation. Basically, the personnel numbers are cut to minimum or bellow it (it looks great in quarterly report to shareholders), maintenance is often outsourced to a lowest bid contractor (it looks great in quarterly report to shareholders), while tight schedules leave a little slack for any inconvenience.
Well isn't this just perfect.
Why do people have such a hard time accepting the existence of objective evil again?
They aren't defense assets. They are useful, yes. But just calling infrastructure a defense asset is a bad idea that leads to future problems, and screams of a lead up to nationalization to me.Rail companies and their infrastructure double as national defense assets; they aren't going anywhere, no matter how badly run or managed they are.
Best we can hope for is the situation gets bad enough the DoD bitch-slaps the rail companies for compromising national defense readiness with their shit, and forces them to fix things or get their company liquidated.
The derailment of a train carrying hazardous chemicals in Ohio may be even more dangerous than the public has been told.
State officials initially focused on the release of vinyl chloride after 50 cars of a Norfolk Southern Railroad train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3, according to ABC News.
Phosgene and hydrogen chloride were also released from the train derailment, hazardous substances that led authorities to order evacuations within one mile of the crash site.
Authorities arranged for the blasting of some affected train cars — a tactic to allow for a controlled burn of the substances.
These weren't the only chemicals that were released in the smoking blaze that followed the accident.
A train manifest created by Norfolk Southern Railroad shows cargo containing more hazardous chemicals.
Ethylhexyl acrylate, isobutylene and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether were also released in the accident, according to the manifest acquired by ABC News.
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These three substances can cause adverse health effects.
Ethylhexyl acrylate is known to cause eye and skin burning, isobutylene can cause dizziness and drowsiness, and ethylene glycol monobutyl can induce nervous system depression, headaches and vomiting, according to Centers for Disease Control data reviewed by ABC.
The train's load of the additional chemicals is being made known after evacuation orders for East Palestine residents and some Pennsylvanians were rescinded last week, according to the New York Post.
Authorities rescinded the evacuation orders after testing air and soil samples for contamination.
Aerial footage of the aftermath of the accident depicts a scene wrought with destruction.
The Environmental Protection Agency said it couldn't detect dangerous levels of toxins in the air on Monday, according to ABC.
EPA's top priority is the health and safety of all communities. Since the initial train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, we have had 6 staff and 16 contractors on the ground to assist with air monitoring actions.
EPA Great Lakes
@EPAGreatLakes
EPA's top priority is the health and safety of all communities. Since the initial train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, we have had 6 staff and 16 contractors on the ground to assist with air monitoring actions.
7:16 PM · Feb 13, 2023·
We are conducting indoor and outdoor air monitoring to test for volatile organic compounds (including vinyl chloride) and other chemicals of concern. Our air monitoring uses a science-based approach and we will continue to consult with local authorities as more info is collected.
As of February 12, we have screened 291 homes and no detections of vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride were identified. There are 181 remaining homes to screen. At this time, EPA has not detected any levels of concern in the community that can be attributed to the incident.
We are working closely with @OhioEPA to determine what impact the spill has had on surface and ground water. @ORSANCOchannel and other agencies are sampling the Ohio River at strategic locations to ensure drinking water intakes aren't affected.
On February 10, we issued a general notice of potential liability letter to Norfolk Southern to document the release of hazardous contaminants. The letter outlines EPA cleanup actions at the site and the potential to hold the railroad accountable for associated costs.
We continue to assist with screening efforts for residents who request to have their homes tested for chemicals from the fire. To request screening, call 330-849-3919.
For more information, visit http://response.epa.gov/EastPalestineTrainDerailment…
The federal agency assessed 291 homes for potential exposure to vinyl chloride and hydrogen chloride.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
The Biden administration turned down Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's request for federal disaster assistance after a train derailment in East Palestine caused several hazardous chemicals to be released into the air and water ways, Dan Tierney, DeWine's press secretary, told the Daily Caller News Foundation.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said that Ohio is not eligible to receive assistance because the incident did not classify as a national disaster, Tierney told the DCNF. The rejection came nearly two weeks after a Norfolk Southern train, which carried harmful chemicals, derailed and nearly 2,000 residents were evacuated before a controlled release of the fumes cast a large plum over the town. (RELATED: 'Do We Stay?': Ohioans Seek Answers After Massive Train Derailment Casts Toxic Plume Over Their Town)
FEMA classifies a national disaster declaration as when there is property damage caused by a tornado, flood, hurricane or earthquake, Tierney explained. The state currently does not have associated costs it could "demonstrate to FEMA to be able to get a disaster declaration" since the derailed train cars did not cause any power outages, block any roads or impede resident's property.
"FEMA is in constant contact with the emergency operations center in East Palestine and with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency," Jeremy Edwards, FEMA press secretary, told the DCNF. "We are closely coordinating with EPA, HHS, and the CDC, who are helping to test water and air quality, and to conduct public health assessments."
Norfolk Southern is paying for expenses related to the derailment including hotel costs for residents who were temporarily displaced, Tierney told the DCNF. Ohio is ineligible for FEMA relief unless it can prove the town suffered property damage that is not reimbursable.
"Certainly if FEMA tells us there is a program we can apply for, that we're eligible for, we will, but there is nothing that we are eligible for or that we're aware that Ohio is eligible for that we can apply for at FEMA," Tierney said.
He said that the state received aid from the Department of Health and Human Services, Environmental Protection Agency and the Pentagon.
The EPA tested 396 homes and had scheduled to screen 64 more as of Tuesday and reported no detection of vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride, regional administrator Debra Shore said in a statement.
Residents, however, remain concerned about the long-term effects the disaster could have on their health. They are being advised by the Ohio Department of Health to drink from bottled water until private wells are tested, according to a Wednesday water quality update from DeWine's office.
Residents vocalized their concerns during a public hearing Wednesday at a local high school. While Norfolk Southern representatives were supposed to attend, they pulled out at the last minute because of safety concerns.
"I'm just as frustrated. I live in the community, just like you," Trent Conaway, East Palestine mayor, reportedly told the crowd. "I'm trying to get answers."
HHS, the EPA, the Pentagon and Conaway did not immediately respond to the DCNF's request for comment. Norfolk Southern could not be reached.
Nick Sortor
@nicksortor
·
Feb 15
The people of East Palestine are PISSED OFF.
The mayor is holding a town hall at East Palestine High School, and the people are DETERMINED to hold the government accountable!
I'll be live tweeting the town hall, so stay tuned!
First question: "why are the people outside of a one mile radius from East Palestine getting NO support?"
Answer: "Because that's what the Department of Transportation told us to do"
Unbelievable.
There are THOUSANDS of people from East Palestine at this town hall.
They're demanding answers, as they don't believe ANYTHING the government has told them thus far.
U.S. Congressman Bill Johnson: We have found nothing in the air or water that will be harmful.
East Palestine resident: "You all said the same thing about Ground Zero (9/11) too, and that was a lie!"
The resident's correct.
A little boy from East Palestine asks: "Why can't I play in the creeks and outside because of that smell?"
Ohio EPA answers: "It's just a mixture of dead fish and chemicals!"
The boy responds: "That's not fair!"
The government is ROBBING these kids of their childhoods!
Norfolk Southern, who caused the East Palestine disaster, decided not to send a SINGLE representative to talk to the people.
People are LIVID and are hellbent on REFUSING the company's $1,000 "hold harmless" bribes
jbalou
@joyca13
·
Feb 15
Replying to
@nicksortor
Claims for cancer deaths & a myriad of other illnesses diagnosed by the WTCHP are still being paid out 22 yrs after the World Trade Ctr attack. The people of Ohio deserve a same style commission to probe this disaster.
Look, I'm not sure anything short of nationalizing large amounts of the rail infrastructure, and putting it directly under the Corp Of Engineers ability to order work on at will, will unfuck the US rail network as is.They aren't defense assets. They are useful, yes. But just calling infrastructure a defense asset is a bad idea that leads to future problems, and screams of a lead up to nationalization to me.
As for who is liable, IMO even if it was a genuine accident despite using the best of safety equipment, the railcar ought to be presumptively liable (though if you want to say the owner of the chemicals or the rail road owner, that's fine by me). This ensures that the moral hazard is always there, unless they can prove a different person caused the problem (i.e. a terrorist or another company). This preserves moral hazard and ensures that unavoidable risks are accounted for on balance sheets.
Yep! For such a critical part of your country's infrastructure, it's a goddamn decaying, decrepit mess.Look, I'm not sure anything short of nationalizing large amounts of the rail infrastructure, and putting it directly under the Corp Of Engineers ability to order work on at will, will unfuck the US rail network as is.
It's just that bad now.
The price of being an Empire that cares more about foreign nations and peoples instead of its own. Well that and having a political class that is badly out of touch with reality.Yep! For such a critical part of your country's infrastructure, it's a goddamn decaying, decrepit mess.
However, it's just a symptom of a far greater problem: US infrastructure on the whole, and that includes banking systems, is at least thirty, forty years behind everyone else. It's all decaying and obsolete.