(The Asspciated Press circulated the following article on April 4.)
WASHINGTON — U.S. District Judge Emmett Sullivan wants to learn more about the federal government’s plans to avoid a terrorist attack on a train carrying hazardous materials before he rules on whether the City Council has the authority to ban such trains.
D.C. City Council member Kathy Patterson told The Washington Post she agrees with the judge’s decision to order the government to reveal how it would prevent an attack.
The council passed legislation that would restrict the most hazardous rail shipments from traveling within two miles of the Capitol.
CSX Transportation contends the law violates the Constitution by interfering with interstate commerce.
Sullivan is expected to rule by the end of the week.