Public Service Commission Releases Statement on Amtrak Derailment
HELENA, Montana — The Montana Public Service Commission released the following statement today regarding Saturday’s Amtrak train derailment near Joplin, Montana. Eight of the ten cars in the Seattle-bound Empire Builder left the tracks, killing at least three people.
“Our prayers go out to those who lost loved ones or were injured in the Empire Builder derailment,” said Commission Chairman James Brown. “The Commission’s railroad safety team arrived on the scene quickly and has been working closely with federal investigators to identify the cause of this derailment. Our railroad safety program, however, is not involved in inspecting tracks and Amtrak cars. Before Saturday’s tragic events, the Commission was considering whether to ask Montana’s Legislature for additional funding to expand its railroad safety program. This derailment underscores the importance of adequate funding and staffing for robust federal and state inspection programs that promote reliable, responsible, and safe rail transportation services.”
Currently, the Federal Railroad Administration inspects more than 2,800 miles of railroad tracks in Montana. The Commission’s two certified railroad safety inspectors, in cooperation with the Federal Railroad Administration and its inspectors, monitor the safety of locomotives and freight cars; however, the Empire Builder’s passenger cars are inspected primarily at terminals outside Montana.
The Commission was one of the first agencies on the scene of the derailment. The Commission continues to work with officials from the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Railroad Administration, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, and Amtrak to identify the cause of the derailment.
The Commission regulates private investor-owned natural gas, electric, telephone, water, and sewer companies, certain motor carriers, and monitors natural gas pipeline safety and railroad equipment safety. The Commission works to ensure that Montanans receive safe and reliable service from regulated public utilities while paying reasonable rates. For more information, visit psc.mt.gov or contact the Commission at 1-800-646-6150. Follow the Commission at Twitter.com/@MT_PSC or visit Facebook.com/MontanaPSC.
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