Freight Trains Passing Through Albany Too Dangerous, Report Finds

The Citizens Environmental Coalition released a report at the state capitol Tuesday highlighting the dangers and risks associated with toxic freight trains traveling through Capital Region neighborhoods everyday.

On a date coinciding with the sixth anniversary of Sept. 11, the non-profit organization released the report and made policy recommendations urging Governor Spitzer, state legislators and the federal government to pass laws tightening security around these freight trains and reducing risk for people who live near the trains hauling hazardous materials.

CBS 6 investigated the issue almost a year ago and found there was no security at local rail yards and tanks of toxic chemicals were highly accessible.

CEC said the toxic trains could be used as weapons of mass destruction. “Even on a regular day, something terrible might happen,” said Steve Breyman of the Citizens Environmental Coalition. “Derailments are rather routine. Add to that concerns following nine-eleven and this is a problem crying out for action… Where are the regulations that would not allow you to get close to those things?”

Observing that no action had been taken to regulate the trains and rail yards since CBS 6’s investigation, Breyman said the “only response that makes sense to me is that the railways and chemical companies have sufficient political clout.”

The report asks Governor Spitzer to mandate that companies substitute the toxic chemicals for safer products and to pass ordinances rerouting trains that pass through local cities and towns.

“With some citizen prodding, with more and more asking for action at the state and local level, the steps that need to be taken finally will be,” said Albany Common Council member Dominic Calsolaro, who was at the capitol in support of the effort.

Calsolaro has been pushing to have trains rerouted away from the city of Albany on the local level. The issue has yet to come up for a vote in the Council.

Breyman said the report will be delivered to the governor's office and the state legislature Tuesday and urged citizens to send emails and faxes to Governor Spitzer through their website, www.cectoxic.org.

(Rene Marsh, CBS 6 Albany)