Transportation Sec. Buttigieg talks rail safety improvements

NPR’s Scott Detrow sits down with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to discuss the East Palestine train derailment one year later — and what’s changed in rail safety.

SCOTT DETROW, HOST:

It’s been exactly one year since a freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, unleashing fiery plumes of toxic chemicals. While there were no casualties, the incident put a big spotlight on freight, rail safety and how the government can better protect against accidents like this. That falls under the scope of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Since the derailment, he’s been pushing for more action in Washington and urging Congress to pass a stalled safety bill. On ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, teams spent several days this week reporting in East Palestine. And the morning after we returned to Washington, we headed down to the Department of Transportation to talk to Buttigieg about it. I began the interview by asking about something that bothers a lot of people in East Palestine – the fact it’s taken President Biden more than a year to visit.

PETE BUTTIGIEG: Well, the president’s going now to respond to the invitation that came from the community, but also directed his entire administration and this entire government from the beginning to be there every way that we can. And I think being there a year later is especially important to demonstrate that we’re not forgetting because a lot of the same members of Congress who were so quick to try to score political points over this a year ago are nowhere to be found while the Railway Safety Act is still awaiting its turn.

DETROW: So let’s talk more broadly about derailments. I’m sure you saw the headlines this week that, despite this intense focus over the past year, derailments are actually up nationwide. What’s going on?

BUTTIGIEG: So there has been more and more volume on the rails. And as you said, derailments have continued. You know, there was a time when this country…