Rep. Rob Andrews Calls For Quicker Cleanup of Paulsboro Train Wreck Chemicals
By Mark Abrams
PAULSBORO, N.J. (CBS) -- South Jersey congressman Rob Andrews is asking the US Coast Guard to expedite the cleanup of that Paulsboro train derailment involving tanker cars leaking a toxic chemical and forcing the continued evacuation of hundreds from their homes (see related story).
Speaking on a conference call this afternoon, Rep. Andrews (D-NJ) expressed frustration at the pace of the cleanup of last Friday's derailment.
"This is too slow, and I think it can be done safely but more quickly," Andrews (right) said today. "We have conveyed that sentiment to the Coast Guard, and hopefully they'll be responsive in stepping up the pace of this. But clearly, the problem is the submerged tank -- tanks, I should say, plural -- and they've been unable to move them quickly enough and safely enough. But I think it's overdue."
Andrews says that while 48 families evacuated by the accident are receiving help from Conrail, there are more than 400 people who were displaced.
He says the leak of the toxic chemical vinyl chloride into the air from wrecked tanker cars has been an issue in recent days, and those forced to leave or other residents ordered to shelter in place (related story) deserve some answers (another related story).
