(Congress of the liniteit gvtatea ashingtou, E11515 April 1, 2014 The Honorable Tom Latham The Honorable Ed Pastor Chairman Ranking Member House Transportation and Housing and House Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee Urban Development Subcommittee 2217 Rayburn House Office Building 2465 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Chairman Latham and Ranking Member Pastor: As you work to develop the Fiscal Year 2015 Transportation and Housing Urban Development appropriations bill, we respectfully urge you to increase funding for the Federal Railroad Administ:ration?s (FRA) Safety and Operations account to fI.1lly support its safety program activities related to passenger and freight railroads. Further, we ask you provide strong funding for Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration?s (PHMSA) Hazardous Materials Safety account. In the last two years, major freight rail accidents have shaken communities in Quebec, Alabama and North Dakota, among others. Preventing future tragedies will require coordination and efforts by multiple stakeholders. We believe as the agencies overseeing the nation?s rail system and transportation of hazardous material, the FRA and PHMSA should have the necessary resources to help lead these safety efforts. In order to help improve the safety of transportation by rail across the country, we request: I Increased funding for the Safety and Operations account in order to adequately address rail safety concerns and help prevent future accidents. 0 Increased funding for Hazardous Materials Safety account to help ensure the safe transportation by rail of hazardous materials. 0 Creation of a new Safe Transportation of Energy Products Fund to support multimodal disaster prevention and response activities as outlined in the President?s Budget. QJH l?'a?u'JEFl - Increased funding for Hazardous Materials Safety account to help ensure the safe transportation by rail of hazardous materials. 0 Creation of a new Safe Transportation of Energy Products Fund to support multimodal disaster prevention and response activities as outlined in the President?s Budget. 0 The inclusion of language directing the FRA to use funds in the Safety and Operations account to hire additional railroad safety inspectors to re?ect the increased tra?ic and safety concerns throughout our nation?s railroad system. Thank you for your consideration of these requests. Michael Michaud Member of Congress 1 I X. I Chellie Pingree Member of Congress I -L. 6* . .7 Sires Member of Congress in Mem of Congress Sincerely, Timothy J. Walz Member of Congress 9 Rick Larsen Member of Congress 5 Collin C. Peterson Member of Congress Ru Ron Kind Member of Congress bladler Member of Congress Ga?. /2 1 2 - Corrine Brown Member of Congress