Ne Colorado News

COMMERCE CITY – Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo, M.D. (CO-08) pressed BNSF Railway about a recent train derailment that happened near the Suncor Refinery in Commerce City. In a letter to BNSF President and CEO Katie Farmer, Caraveo underscored that, while no hazardous materials were spilled this time, the outcome could have been far worse – referencing the recent disastrous train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

“I was alarmed to learn about the derailment in Commerce City, a tight-knit community with a large Latino population. However, there has not been much public information or reporting on the derailment, information that should be provided to Commerce City residents,” wrote Caraveo.

“For the moment, the derailment has been described as minor with no hazardous materials spilled. However, photos from the derailment show several railcars tipped over next to an active refinery and near an area with residences. To be blunt, it could have been much worse,” Caraveo continued.

Caraveo requested information on what led to the derailment, what was in the cars that derailed, and what steps BNSF is taking to ensure this does not happen again.

According to the Federal Railroad Administration, there were at least 1,164 total train derailments last year, which averages to about 3 derailments per day. While there has been a great reduction in overall accidents since 2000, the recent derailment in East Palestine underscores the risk of major derailments.

See the full text of Caraveo’s letter here and below.

Dear Ms. Farmer,

I am writing with regard to the derailment of a BNSF train that occurred in Commerce City on Friday, June 16th. As the representative for Colorado’s 8thdistrict, I take incidents like this seriously and am looking for answers on behalf of my constituents. 

According to the Federal Railroad Administration, there were at least 1,164 train derailments last year, which averages to about 3 derailments per day. While there has been a great reduction in overall accidents since 2000, the recent derailment in East Palestine shows us just how dangerous these derailments can be. That is why I was alarmed to learn about the derailment in Commerce City, a tight-knit community with a large Latino population. However, there has not been much public information or reporting on the derailment, information that should be provided to Commerce City residents.

For the moment, the derailment has been described as minor with no hazardous materials spilled. However, photos from the derailment show several railcars tipped over next to an active refinery and near an area with residences. To be blunt, it could have been much worse. I am urging you to provide information regarding what led to the derailment, what may have been in the cars that derailed, and what steps BNSF is taking to ensure something like this does not happen again. 

Again, in the interest of transparency for the people of Commerce City, I am committed to collaborating with you to get this information to them and working with you on common sense solutions to protect our communities from these derailments. I look forward to your response. 

Sincerely,

Original source can be found here