DOT 19-05
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Contact: Brian Turmail
Tel.: (202) 841-9951
 
Statement from U.S. Department of Transportation Regarding D.C. Council Action to Ban HAZMAT Shipments

States and the District of Columbia have an important responsibility to take appropriate steps to protect their citizens, and the U.S. Department of Transportation supports a range of measures to give local officials greater say in transportation issues. However, a prohibition of hazardous materials shipments through a portion of the District, as adopted by the D.C. Council, may violate provisions in the U.S. Constitution and federal laws on interstate commerce, the transportation of hazardous materials, and the railroad industry. Should this legislation be signed into law, the Department will review the bill to determine whether it is in fact preempted by federal law, and will also continue to explore other options that might be available with regards to routes for transporting hazardous materials through the national Capital region.