U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., launched another attack on a controversial railroad plan Thursday, introducing a bill that would realign the priorities of a federal rail board.
Visclosky has protested the Canadian National railroad company's bid to buy EJ&E. The deal would boost rail traffic on the EJ&E tracks through the region.
The Taking Responsible Action for Community Safety Act would realign the federal Surface Transportation Board's priorities, giving greater consideration to the public effect of railroad transactions, according to a news release from Visclosky's office. The bill would require the board to give safety and other public effects weight equal to the consideration given to transportation benefits, according to the release.
"In handling the CN/EJ&E case, the STB has been a rubber stamp for the railroads and has not adequately considered the transaction's consequences for the surrounding communities," Visclosky said in the release.
