Southwest Montana News

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Matt Rosendale (MT-02) sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, EPA Administrator Michael Regan, and Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration Amit Bose thanking them for their quick response to the Montana Rail Link train derailment over the Yellowstone River and asking questions regarding the cleanup and repair process.

“I appreciate responsiveness and thoroughness of transportation officials in the wake of this weekend’s train derailment in Stillwater County,” said Rep. Rosendale. “I would like to urge federal officials to work with their state and local counterparts as they conduct the investigation into the causes of this derailment and keep me updated as new information becomes available.”

Congressman Rosendale has been monitoring the train derailment closely since the situation occurred on Saturday, June 24th. His letter to Secretary Buttigieg includes several questions regarding the cause of the situation and potential hazards caused by contaminants leaking into the river, including:

1. Why did the bridge collapse? Were regulations not followed or was infrastructure not inspected or renovated?
2. Do the contaminants released into the Yellowstone River, molten sulfur and asphalt, pose substantial threats to the local population or wildlife?
3. What precautions are you advising to mitigate the release of contaminants?
4. Do you have a timeline for the expected repair of the bridge and cleanup?
5. How are supply chain disruptions being addressed?

Read the full letter here. 

Original source can be found here.