The state Public Service Commission would no longer conduct a railroad inspection program under a bill advanced from general file March 10.<\/p>\n
LB255, introduced by the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, is estimated to save $124,000 annually.<\/p>\n
Committee chairperson Sen. Deb Fischer of Valentine said the bill would eliminate two full-time positions that provide spot-checks of railroads. Existing federal oversight and industry inspection would ensure adequate safety, she said.<\/p>\n
Kearney Sen. Galen Hadley said Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota and Wyoming have no state inspection programs. Eliminating two positions would not hinder railroad safety, he said.<\/p>\n
Sen. LeRoy Louden of Ellsworth spoke in opposition to the bill, saying Nebraska has some of the busiest railroads in the world and should not compromise railroad safety.<\/p>\n
\u201c[Inspections aren\u2019t] something that you can expect the [railroad] corporations to do themselves,\u201d Louden said.<\/p>\n
Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop said the railroad inspection program should be retained because state inspectors ensure that comprehensive railroad accident reports are available to the public.<\/p>\n
Lawmakers voted 27-12 to advance LB255 from general file.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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