“Our rail lines are vulnerable to terrorist threats, and it only takes one train to cause catastrophic destruction for an entire community and way of life," Maloney said during a congressional hearing in Washington, D.C. "With billions of gallons of highly explosive crude oil barreling through the Hudson Valley, we must address potential security and safety gaps to protect our people."
In addition, Maloney urged the U.S. Department of Transportation and Office of Management and Budget to finalize these safety regulations in the next 30 days.
Despite a mandate imposed by Congress to finalize by January 2015 safety standards for transporting oil by rail, the Department of Transportation announced it won’t issue the final rule until at least May 2015.
“The threat is too great to continue delaying basic safety standards that are critical to protect communities and our environment from terrorist threats or accidental derailments,” Maloney said.
Click on the video above to view Maloney's comments.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Lewisboro and receive free news updates.