WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Anthony Foxx calling for the agency to quickly address safety concerns associated with the transport of crude oil and other toxic substances on New Jersey railways.

Specifically, Sen. Booker requested additional information from DOT within 30 days to inform Congress as it considers whether statutory changes for improved rail safety are needed.

“The toxic chemical spill and train derailment in Paulsboro underscores the need to make rail safety a primary concern,” said Sen. Booker. “Given the increase in toxic substances traveling through New Jersey over the past two years, our residents and first responders deserve to know when, and what is moving through their community so they can prepare for potential risks.”

“I will continue working with my colleagues on the Senate Commerce Committee to fight for improved transportation and rail safety policies,” Sen. Booker added.

Last month, the National Transportation Safety Board issued a final report on the 2012 Paulsboro, N.J. train derailment and chemical spill. The report called for specific improvements in rail safety and information sharing with state and local officials. Sen. Booker has asked DOT to lay out which changes the agency can make more quickly on their own and which changes require congressional action to address.

“New Jerseyans deserve the quickest path possible to improved rail safety – whether through the federal rulemaking process or legislation – or both,” Sen. Booker said. “This information will help us expedite these long overdue changes.”

This year, approximately 650,000 carloads of crude oil will be shipped across the country, compared to just 9,500 carloads in 2008. New Jersey is a major passageway for crude by rail, and reports indicate that in Bergen County alone, at least 7 million gallons of oil travel through 11 communities every single day. In 2012, a train wreck released 20,000 gallons of chemicals in Paulsboro, NJ, causing an immediate emergency evacuation and long-term health and environmental impacts.

Full text of Senator Booker’s letter to Secretary Foxx can be viewed here.