Comment EI-33663
Received or sent (printed as 1/20/2025)
Community Safety Comes First CORP’s employees lack the training, experience, and union protections of Union Pacific workers. Replacing skilled workers with less-experienced, non-union employees increases the risk of accidents and unsafe operations in our neighborhoods. Protect Eugene’s Water and Soil Union Pacific is responsible for ongoing groundwater cleanup efforts in Eugene. Will CORP take on this responsibility, or will they abandon these critical environmental protections like they did in Coos Bay? Don’t Let History Repeat Itself CORP’s mismanagement of the Coos Bay branch line shows a pattern of failure to maintain infrastructure and safeguard communities. CORP\'s track record demonstrates negligence in upholding safety, customer service, and environmental stewardship. Avoid Another East Palestine Disaster The risk of accidents involving hazardous materials increases when safety standards are cut. A Class III railroad like CORP lacks the financial resources to respond to a disaster, leaving taxpayers to bear the cost. Stop Corporations from Skirting Safety Regulations Union Pacific’s unionized workers have the protections needed to push back against unsafe practices and hold the company accountable. CORP’s non-union employees won’t have the same ability to stand up for safety, leaving the door open for shortcuts and cost-cutting. Stand Up for Our Health and Environment Eugene residents deserve clean water, healthy soil, and safe communities, not increased pollution and weaker safety regulations. This is a dangerous lease, we need to prioritize public health and safety while preventing future disasters and contamination! Corporations Must Take Responsibility Union Pacific has the resources to address liability issues. CORP’s limited liability means taxpayers would be left paying for accidents and environmental cleanup. We can’t allow corporate profits to come before the well-being of our neighborhoods.
Submitted by: Andrea DiPalma · West African Cultural Arts Institute · Eugene, OR
The Board publishes this comment in its environmental-comment table for this proceeding. It is quoted here as printed; nothing is inferred from it, and it states the commenter's own position in their own words, not this record's.
Permanent address docketyard.org/d/FD-36818/comment/EI-33663 · back to the docket sheet