Congressman Gottheimer Pushes Agency to Address Concern with Safety of Ethanol Distribution

Nov 03, 2017
Press

“A Ticking Corn Bomb” Traveling on Rails through our Communities

Today, Congressman Josh Gottheimer responded to community concerns raised in The Record about the procedures, equipment, and information sharing currently authorized by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and used by the railroad industry when transporting ethanol across the United States. New Jersey is the third leading destination for ethanol in the country, behind only much larger California and Texas.

Writing a letter to PHMSA Administrator Howard Elliot, Rep. Gottheimer noted how lax safety standards of ethanol transportation can potentially threaten the lives and well-being of communities, especially in a state as densely populated as New Jersey.

Furthermore, Rep. Gottheimer sought to clarify exactly why ethanol-carrying trains are not subjected to the same protocols as equally dangerous crude-oil carrying trains. He also pressed for details about the exact training provided to first responders to handle ethanol transportation and associated accidents.

“New Jersey is a densely populated state, with a large number of communities along its railway lines,” said Rep. Gottheimer. “We can’t risk a derailment in New Jersey that either sends shrapnel spewing or a massive thermal explosion into our neighborhoods. I fear that these lax standards are creating ticking “corn bombs” that undoubtedly could threaten the lives and welfare of New Jersey families. And similar to oil tankers, we need to make sure our first responders are properly trained and equipped so their lives aren’t further at risk.”

To view the letter in its entirety, click here.

More About Ethanol Production:

Between 2000 and 2014, Ethanol production has increased 780 percent. Railroads currently account for 60 to 70 percent of ethanol transportation in the United States. From 2005 to 2015, there has been more than one million gallons more of ethanol spilled from trains than oil.

Recent Posts


Nov 30, 2023
Press

RELEASE: Gottheimer Statement on New York’s Congestion Tax

NORTH JERSEY — Today, November 29, 2023, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) released the following statement: “As advertised, New York is officially sticking it to Jersey families with their commuter-crushing Congestion Tax. On top of the existing tolls, it’ll be 15 bucks every day to go into the city with no discounts at the GW Bridge […]



Nov 29, 2023
Press

RELEASE: After Gottheimer Questioning, Consumer Finance Protection Bureau Director Chopra Agrees to “Look Into” NY’s Congestion Tax

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, November 29, 2023, during a U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee hearing, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer questioned Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Rohit Chopra, a New Jersey native, about New York’s $23-a-day Congestion Tax “making money off of gouging middle class Americans with exorbitant tolls.” Director Rohit Chopra agreed to “look into” the […]



Nov 29, 2023
Press

RELEASE: Gottheimer Helps Pass Bipartisan Legislation Condemning Hamas, Calling for the Release of All Hostages, and Reaffirming Israel’s Right to Exist

WASHINGTON D.C. — Tonight, November 28, 2023, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) helped pass two pieces of bipartisan legislation to condemn the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, reaffirm Israel’s right to exist, and call for Hamas to immediately surrender and safely release all hostages. On October 7, Hamas terrorists brutally murdered, raped, burned alive, decapitated, and […]