Stop Chemical Disasters! Respect Our Right to Know

New Jersey Work Environment Council and our allies strongly urge Governor Murphy to take action to protect our lives, jobs, health, schools, and businesses.

The deadly hazards of crude oil shipments on rail are concerning to residents in New Jersey as thousands of rail cars now pass through our communities every week, including through densely populated areas, such as Bergen, Union and Middlesex counties. Governor Christie should direct his administration to release information from the railroads on crude oil shipments instead of keeping the public in the dark.

In addition, the public needs to have access to Emergency Response Plans for municipalities and counties. Federal law guarantees our right to access accurate and updated emergency response plans. Common sense planning for emergencies requires clear, concise instructions for all members of the community; everyone needs to be alerted to and aware of the procedures for worst case scenarios, particularly, but not only, our first responders.

While we support greater energy efficiency and a faster transition to cleaner energy sources, the transport of fossil fuels continues to be an energy reality for now. We demand that the Murphy administration end the total lack of transparency, which puts our communities at risk. We have a right to know!

Demand Governor Murphy to take action to protect our lives, jobs, health, schools and businesses!

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REPORTS

Who Tracks the Railroads?
The Case for Transparency on Rail Bridges
A whitepaper documenting the need for rail companies to release basic information on the safety of our freight bridges. Freight rail bridges, some more than 100 years old, cross over waterways such as the Passaic, Delaware and Manasquan Rivers, as well as sensitive environmental areas like the Oradell Reservoir. Yet, despite repeated calls for transparency on rail bridge infrastructure from federal agencies and the public, the rail companies refuse to release safety and inspection reports.

Access Denied:
NJ Communities Remain in the Dark about Chemical Disasters
Governor Chris Christie continues to fail in carrying out his legal responsibility under federal law for ensuring that the public has access to an up-to-date Emergency Response Plan (ERP) in each of New Jersey’s counties and municipalities in the event of a chemical plant fire, explosion, or other toxic emergency. The Governor’s State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) is supposed to ensure public access to these plans. However, despite acknowledgment of the violation, they have not done so.

Danger in the Dark:
How Gov. Christie Helps Oil, Chemical, and Railroad Companies Cover Up Potential Catastrophes
Governor Chris Christie has failed to carry out his legal responsibility under federal law for ensuring that the public has access to up-to-date Emergency Response Plans (ERPs). Every New Jersey county and municipality must have an ERP in order to prepare for chemical plant or oil train emergencies.