H.R. 7011: Under Pressure Act

This bill, known as the Under Pressure Act, focuses on improving safety protocols regarding rail tank cars, specifically looking at the failures of pressure relief devices during derailments. Here are the key components of what the bill aims to achieve:

1. Report Submission

The bill mandates that within 18 months of its enactment, the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) must provide Congress with a comprehensive report concerning:

• The rate and causes of failures in the pressure relief devices of rail tank cars during derailments.
• Specific details about each derailment event, including:
• The number of tank cars involved.
• Whether the event included a fire.
• Information about the fire, if applicable, including temperature and duration.
• The timing and circumstances surrounding the failure of the pressure relief devices.
• An assessment of the compatibility of failed devices with the types of material being transported.
• An evaluation of the protectiveness of the devices against high heat conditions.
• The orientation of the failed devices.

2. Recommendations

The report will also include:

• Suggestions to prevent future failures of rail tank car pressure relief devices.
• The status of any existing recommendations made by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) related to rail tank cars that have not received adequate responses.

3. Consultation Requirements

In preparing this report, the FRA Administrator is required to consult with various stakeholders including:

• The Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
• Employers within the rail industry.
• Organizations representing rail employees.
• Manufacturers, shippers, and owners of rail tank cars.

4. Purpose

The overall goal of the Under Pressure Act is to understand and address potential safety issues with rail tank cars, ensuring that pressure relief devices function properly in emergencies, thereby enhancing transportation safety for hazardous materials.

Relevant Companies

• UNP (Union Pacific Corporation): A major rail transportation service provider that operates a large network of railroads and may be affected by new safety recommendations and regulations regarding tank car operations.
• BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe): Another significant player in the railroad industry, BNSF would need to comply with any new regulations resulting from the bill's findings.
• CSX (CSX Corporation): This corporation operates freight rail transportation and would also need to adapt to any changes in safety protocols regarding rail tank cars.