The home page for East Palestine, Ohio, states that “It’s the place you want to be.” A small village of about 4700 residents on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border, it suddenly became the most recent location of a train derailment carrying highly toxic chemicals, including vinyl chloride, a known carcinogen.
As plumes of smoke towered above the village in a controlled burn, residents wondered if they could really return to their homes safely. Other chemicals were also on the train, but vinyl chloride was the most dangerous to human health.
The union representing train workers said that cost-cutting safety mechanisms from the companies are to blame for increases in train derailments, most of which we don’t even hear about. Because the rule on Electronically Controlled Pneumatic Brakes had been rescinded in 2017, they were not on this 150-car train, a measure that could have prevented this disaster. Rail companies, however, are fudging about, trying to explain their lack of safety measures. We cannot put the profits rail companies above people.
Prayer for the Day
We hear the news, O God, and shudder but only for a moment,
Wondering if our own chemical alleys are safe;
But we really don’t want to consider what might happen here,
Here in congested New Jersey with so many more people.
Move us, O God, not turn the page, shut off the computer,
But to care for the many small communities adversely affected.
In the name of the One who cared for even a blade of grass,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
We’ve heard reports from inspectors that the time they are allotted to inspect both sides of a rail car has decreased by 75 percent — from 2 minutes to as little as 30 seconds — thanks to the rail industry’s profits-over-people business model.
- Greg Regan, president of the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Department
One hundred fifty cars is a really, really significant [number of cars. For years, the FRA and other safety regulators have raised concerns about trains of that size.
- Sarah Feinberg, Director, Federal Railroad Administration under Barack Obama
I will look with favor on the faithful in the land so that they may with me;
Whoever walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me.
No one who practices deceit shall remain in my house;
No one who utters lies shall continue in my presence
Psalm 101: 6-7