Governor McAuliffe Announces Leadership and First Meeting of Railroad Safety and Security Task Force

Location in Virginia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Richmond, VA – Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced that Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian J. Moran and Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Layne will co-chair the interagency Railroad Safety and Security Task Force, and that the panel will conduct its first meeting on June 4^th, 2014 at 1:00pm at the Virginia State Capitol Building in Senate Room 3.

“This task force is an important step toward ensuring that Virginia is doing everything it can to keep our railroads and the communities around them safe, and that we are prepared to respond to incidents like the derailment and fire in Lynchburg earlier this month,” said Governor McAuliffe. “I have asked Secretaries Moran and Layne to bring our public safety, transportation and environmental protection agencies together to investigate what happened in Lynchburg and make recommendations of how Virginia can work with the federal government to keep our communities and our natural resources as safe as possible.”

The Railroad Safety and Security Task Force will include representatives from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP), the State Corporation Commission (SCC), the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), and the Virginia State Police (VSP). The task force will solicit input from industry stakeholders, local governments and members of the public and produce a report of recommended state and federal actions to prevent railroad accidents and ensure that Virginia is prepared as possible to keep communities safe in the case of a future incident.

“Last month’s incident in Lynchburg could have been much worse, but local, state and federal responders worked together to keep the public safe and clean up the wreckage as soon as possible,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian J. Moran. “I want to thank Governor McAuliffe for forming this task force to ensure that every corner of Virginia is as prepared to act in the case of another accident as Lynchburg was, and that we are working with our federal partners to keep another incident like this from happening again.”

Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Layne continued, “Virginia’s railways are critical to the commerce and trade of the entire nation, and operating them safely should be priority one for the Commonwealth and our federal and industry partners. This task force is our opportunity to increase interagency cooperation, solicit public input and formulate recommendations to keep our railways and adjacent Virginia communities and resources as safe as possible.”

Governor McAuliffe announced his intention to form the Railroad Safety and Security Task Force earlier this month while touring the site of the April 30^th train derailment and fire in downtown Lynchburg, VA. 

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Governor McAuliffe Announces Leadership and First Meeting of Railroad Safety

 (Photo credit: ATOMIC Hot Links)

Governor McAuliffe Announces Leadership and First Meeting of Railroad Safety and Security Task Force

Richmond, VA – Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced that Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian J. Moran and Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Layne will co-chair the interagency Railroad Safety and Security Task Force, and that the panel will conduct its first meeting on June 4^th, 2014 at 1:00pm at the Virginia Emergency Operations Center in Chesterfield.

“This task force is an important step toward ensuring that Virginia is doing everything it can to keep our railroads and the communities around them safe, and that we are prepared to respond to incidents like the derailment and fire in Lynchburg earlier this month,” said Governor McAuliffe. “I have asked Secretaries Moran and Layne to bring our public safety, transportation and environmental protection agencies together to investigate what happened in Lynchburg and make recommendations of how Virginia can work with the federal government to keep our communities and our natural resources as safe as possible.”

The Railroad Safety and Security Task Force will include representatives from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP), the State Corporation Commission (SCC), the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), and the Virginia State Police (VSP). The task force will solicit input from industry stakeholders, local governments and members of the public and produce a report of recommended state and federal actions to prevent railroad accidents and ensure that Virginia is prepared as possible to keep communities safe in the case of a future incident.

“Last month’s incident in Lynchburg could have been much worse, but local, state and federal responders worked together to keep the public safe and clean up the wreckage as soon as possible,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian J. Moran. “I want to thank Governor McAuliffe for forming this task force to ensure that every corner of Virginia is as prepared to act in the case of another accident as Lynchburg was, and that we are working with our federal partners to keep another incident like this from happening again.”

Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Layne continued, “Virginia’s railways are critical to the commerce and trade of the entire nation, and operating them safely should be priority one for the Commonwealth and our federal and industry partners. This task force is our opportunity to increase interagency cooperation, solicit public input and formulate recommendations to keep our railways and adjacent Virginia communities and resources as safe as possible.”

Governor McAuliffe announced his intention to form the Railroad Safety and Security Task Force earlier this month while touring the site of the April 30^th train derailment and fire in downtown Lynchburg, VA. 

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Governor McAuliffe Announces Railroad Safety and Security Taskforce

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

~Taskforce follows Lynchburg Train Derailment ~ 

LYNCHBURG – Today, Governor Terry McAuliffe announced the creation of the Commonwealth’s Railroad Safety and Security Taskforce.  The Governor’s announcement follows the April 30^th derailment of a CSX freight train carrying crude oil shipped from the Midwest to Yorktown.  The accident occurred in downtown Lynchburg adjacent to the James River.

“The train derailment that occurred on April 30 raises important public safety and health concerns,” said Governor Terry McAuliffe. “While fortunately no one was hurt, it is critical that we determine the cause of this accident to help better protect Virginia’s families. The Railroad Safety and Security Taskforce will help ensure that the Commonwealth is a national leader in preventing, preparing for, and responding to these types of events.”

Earlier this week, Governor McAuliffe sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx highlighting his support to strengthen federal rules regarding the safety of rail cars carrying crude oil, as well as improved communication between the rail companies, first responders, and community officials.

The Governor’s new taskforce will include state agencies officials and subject matter experts. Members of the taskforce will be responsible for making recommendations—and taking action—to enhance Virginia’s capability to protect lives, property, and the environment along our many rail lines.

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Governor McAuliffe Statement on Lynchburg Train Derailment

Official seal of Lynchburg, Virginia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Governor Terry McAuliffe released the following statement on the Commonwealth of Virginia’s response to the train derailment and fire in Lynchburg, Virginia:

“This afternoon my Public Safety team informed me of the train derailment and fire in Lynchburg. Immediately after those reports were received the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, the Virginia State Police, and the Virginia Department of Fire Programs were instructed to coordinate with local responders and mobilize the resources necessary to respond to this incident.

“Deputy Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Adam Thiel has been dispatched to the scene and will provide my team and me with constant updates as this situation unfolds. I have also spoken with Lynchburg Mayor Michael Gillette and offered him any and all resources he needs to respond to this incident and keep Virginians safe.”

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Governor McDonnell Announces $26.3 Million Investment in City of Lynchburg and Campbell County

English: Governor of Virginia at CPAC in . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

AREVA Inc. to Upgrade Operations with Highly Advanced Equipment; Company Will Designate Facilities as its “Operational Center of Excellence for Nuclear Products and Services in North America”

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that AREVA Inc., a leading nuclear energy company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., will invest $26.3 million in its operations in the City of Lynchburg and Campbell County.  The company will invest in highly advanced machinery and equipment to enhance research and development (R&D) capabilities and elevate its competitiveness in advanced manufacturing. 

            Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “This project is truly transformational for the future of AREVA Inc.’s operations in the City of Lynchburg and Campbell County. The company employs nearly 2,000 Virginians in a variety of high-skilled positions, and an investment of this magnitude secures the long-term viability of the plants as Research & Development capabilities and advanced manufacturing are significantly enhanced. The designation of AREVA’s Lynchburg and Campbell County facilities as the company’s Operational Center of Excellence for Nuclear Products and Services in North America is an incredible testament to the success and continued potential of these operations.”

            “AREVA Inc. and its U.S. subsidiaries form the number one supplier of nuclear energy products and services in the nation, and we are proud that the company’s operations in Lynchburg and Campbell County are of the highest caliber to be designated as AREVA’s Operational Center of Excellence for Nuclear Products and Services in North America,” said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “This investment of more than $26 million will add high-tech equipment and machinery to enhance each facility to state-of-the-art quality, and elevate AREVA’s competitiveness in advanced manufacturing.”

            “Our new Operational Center of Excellence for Nuclear Products and Services in North America will give us the competitive and innovative edge we seek that will enable us to proactively identify customer needs and better provide safe, accurate and affordable holistic solutions,” said Mike Rencheck, president and CEO of AREVA Inc.  “The location of this world –class operation will better position us to continue driving the daily nuclear energy renewal, which is ensuring safe, round-the-clock power, and is critical to tomorrow’s supply of clean energy.”

            AREVA provides its customers with solutions for low-carbon power generation in North America and all over the world. As the leader in nuclear energy and a significant, growing player in the renewable energies sector, AREVA combines U.S. and Canadian leadership, access to worldwide expertise and a proven track record of performance. Sustainable development is a core component of AREVA’s strategy. Its nearly 5,000 U.S. and Canadian employees work every day to make AREVA a responsible industrial player helping to supply ever cleaner, safer and more economical energy to the greatest number of people. Learn more athttp://us.areva.com or follow on Twitter: @AREVAinc.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Lynchburg and Campbell County to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McDonnell approved a $350,000 performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership program, an incentive available to existing Virginia companies.

“AREVA’s Operational Center of Excellence for Nuclear Products and Services in North America is not only a major capital investment but a major milestone in establishing Lynchburg as an economic leader in the energy and engineering industries,” said City of Lynchburg Mayor Mike Gillette. “The City of Lynchburg is proud to have AREVA--a global leader in energy and engineering--as a cornerstone of our growing economy. AREVA’s ongoing commitment to investment and growth here is evidence that the Lynchburg region is competitive in the advanced products and services of the new economy.”

           “AREVA continues to be a core business for Lynchburg and an integral part of the region’s economy,” said Mike Lucado, City of Lynchburg Economic Development Authority Chair. “As a worldwide leader in the nuclear power industry, their expansion here further demonstrates that Lynchburg's efforts to attract, retain and promote business growth are having a positive result. We congratulate AREVA and look forward to their presence for years to come.”

            “We are delighted to hear of another expansion for AREVA,” stated Eddie Gunter, Chairman of the Campbell County Board of Supervisors. “It was just April of 2012 when AREVA announced the expansion of its U.S. Technical Center on Mt. Athos Road. This latest expansion and the roll out of the Operational Center of Excellence for Nuclear Products and Services comes as great news for Campbell County and the Lynchburg region.”

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