Rep. Rob Andrews Calls For Quicker Cleanup of Paulsboro Train Wreck Chemicals

December 4, 2012 1:58 PM

Emergency crews responded to the scene of a freight train that derailed in Paulsboro, New Jersey, and resulted in a chemical spill Friday, Nov. 30. (see full story) (Credit: CBS 3)

Reporting Mark Abrams

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Accidents, Business & Economy, Government, Heard On, Local, New Jersey, News, Syndicated Local, Traffic & Transportation, Watch + Listen

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By Mark Abrams

PAULSBORO, N.J. (CBS) — South Jersey congressman Rob Andrews is asking the US Coast Guard to expedite the cleanup of that Paulsboro train derailment involving tanker cars leaking a toxic chemical and forcing the continued evacuation of hundreds from their homes (see related story).

Speaking on a conference call this afternoon, Rep. Andrews (D-NJ) expressed frustration at the pace of the cleanup of last Friday’s derailment.

(US Rep. Rob Andrews, D-NJ.)

“This is too slow, and I think it can be done safely but more quickly,” Andrews (right) said today. “We have conveyed that sentiment to the Coast Guard, and hopefully they’ll be responsive in stepping up the pace of this. But clearly, the problem is the submerged tank — tanks, I should say, plural — and they’ve been unable to move them quickly enough and safely enough. But I think it’s overdue.”

Andrews says that while 48 families evacuated by the accident are receiving help from Conrail, there are more than 400 people who were displaced.

He says the leak of the toxic chemical vinyl chloride into the air from wrecked tanker cars has been an issue in recent days, and those forced to leave or other residents ordered to shelter in place (related story) deserve some answers (another related story).

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http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/12/10/derailment-and-spill-cleanup-continues-slowly-in-paulsboro-n-j/ Derailment and Spill Cleanup Continues, Slowly, in Paulsboro, N.J. « CBS Philly

[...] The Coast Guard isn’t giving a timetable for that. But speaking this morning before a ceremony at the Battleship New Jersey in Camden, US Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ) said he’s keeping a close eye on the cleanup (see previous story). [...]
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/12/10/derailment-and-spill-cleanup-continues-slowly-in-paulsboro-n-j/ Derailment and Spill Cleanup Continues, Slowly, in Paulsboro, N.J. « CBS Philly

[...] The Coast Guard isn’t giving a timetable for that. But speaking this morning before a ceremony at the Battleship New Jersey in Camden, US Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ) said he’s keeping a close eye on the cleanup (see previous story). [...]
http://nj1015.com/residents-arrested-at-hotel-as-paulsboro-shelter-in-place-order-still-in-effect/ Andrews Calls For Coast Guard To Pick Up Pace Of Cleanup

[...] be done safely but more quickly,” said the Democrat during a conference call today according to KYW TV. “We have conveyed that sentiment to the Coast Guard, and hopefully they’ll be responsive in [...]