Rail Pollution Protection in the News

Click the links below to access our archive of media coverage over the years.

2023:

Visiting health care professionals take “environmental justice tour” of Pittsburgh

East Palestine Disaster Shows How Philanthropy Can Halt Chemical Accidents in Their Tracks

Expanded Health and Environmental Funders Network Presentation March 16 2023

State and Federal Action Items and Rail Safety Improvement Act March 16 2023

WTAE:  An East Palestine Catastrophe in Pittsburgh:  What Are the Odds?  How Will We Respond?  Can it Be Prevented?

WPXI Special Report:  A prediction of disaster: Experts say it’s ‘when, not if’ for a Pittsburgh toxic train wreck

WTAE Chronicle:  Trouble on the Tracks

Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien:  Concern Over Rail Safety After Recent Train Accidents

The Guardian:  Ohio Train Derailment Wake-Up Call

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:  Risky railways from Pittsburgh to Palestine

WTAE:  Rail Disaster Probability Discussed in Thursday Night Town Hall

Air Quality Town Hall #10:  An East Palestine Derailment in Pittsburgh

Trib Live:  Fire chief to headline Zoom session on emergency management, rail disasters

2021:

WQED Documentary, “The Air That We Breathe, Part 2”, March 25, 2021

Air Quality Town Hall Press Release, April 6, 2021

Our Right to Clean Air- A Resident-Led Town Hall, April 6, 2021

2020:

Are double stack trains safe enough to go through Pittsburgh? 11 Investigates  November 09, 2020

Response to Norfolk Southern Merchant Street Bridge Video – Executive Summary and Comments

2019:

Environmental Activists Say Railroad’s Plan To Reroute Train Cars Will Degrade Air Quality, January 24, 2019

Port Authority bills Norfolk Southern $3 million and questions safety of double-stacked rail cars, February 5, 2019

City of Pittsburgh Protest, February 7, 2019

Senator Fontana Letter, February 11, 2019

Sinkhole discovered in local railroad bridges raises safety concerns, February 18, 2019

Lawmaker, residents ask PUC to review Norfolk Southern rail inspections, February 18, 2019

RP3 Press Release, February 18, 2019

DOMI Letter to PUC, February 19, 2019

A rail company claims a faster route through Pittsburgh for double-stack trains will reduce pollution. Here’s why some remain opposed., February 20, 2019

Amid Disagreements, Pittsburgh Asks Railroad Company To Find New Plans For Taller Trains, February 21, 2019

Pittsburgh objects to Norfolk Southern plans to raise bridges for double stack trains, February 21, 2019

Mayor Peduto concerned about Norfolk Southern interests in moving more double-stacked railroad cars through Pittsburgh, February 21, 2019

Pittsburgh challenges Norfolk Southern’s plans to add new route for double-stacked rail cars, February 21, 2019

DOMI Press Release, February 21, 2019

Opposition mounting toward double-stack trains through North Side, February 25, 2019

RP3 Press Release, February 25, 2019

Dozens of people opposed to double-stacked trains attend meeting, February 27, 2019

Glenn Olcerst on Double-Stack Trains, February 28, 2019

Local Groups Question Plans To Add A Second Double-Stack Freight Route in Pittsburgh, March 8, 2019

PA Representatives Voice Support for RP3 in Letter to Public Utility Commission, March 29, 2019

Medical Professionals Request for Health Impact Assessment of the PVCP, July 20, 2019

2018:

Taking on the trains: Consider Norfolk Southern’s impact on 14 communities, June 23, 2018

North Side residents fearful of raising bridge to carry double-stack Norfolk Southern trains, June 26, 2018

Double-talk about double-stacked trains and proposed city route, July 2, 2018

This is more than a tale of two bridges, July 20, 2018

Pittsburgh: Think twice about allowing more rail traffic to roll through the city, July 29, 2018

‘We came very close to having a tragedy:’ Freight cars derail above Station Square T stop, August 5, 2018

Senator Fontana Letter, August 16, 2018

Proposed Rail Changes Can Have Significant Health Impacts for Allegheny County, Summer 2018

Norfolk Southern: Broken Rail Caused Derailment Over Summer, November 23, 2018

Federal Railroad Administration Derailment Report reveals “serious oversights” in Norfolk Southern’s operations and inspections

2016:

Protecting Your Community From Crude Oil “Bomb Trains”, July 6, 2016