New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday continued to urge Congress and federal regulatores to take additional steps to prevent freight rail disasters following last week's derailment in Montgomery County.

Hochul first outlined the measures in February following the toxic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, that impacted the health and safety of nearby residents there.

The cause of the Montgomery County derailment is still under investigation. About 17 rail cars hauling mixed freight crashed in Scotia, though no hazardous materials appear to have been involved.

Hochul wants Congress, the freight rail industry and federal regulators to:

• Expedite the phase-in of safer tank cars (DOT 117s) for hazardous materials in advance of the Congressionally mandated 2029 deadline
• Modernize braking regulations and increase the use of electronically controlled pneumatic brakes (ECP) to prevent potential rail derailments
• Require rail roads to provide advance notification to state emergency response teams of hazardous cars moving through their state
• Expand state and local grants specifically for hazmat preparedness and response planning

“Keeping New Yorkers safe is my number one priority, so we cannot wait for another disaster to happen before we take steps to improve rail safety,” Hochul said in a statement Friday. “The train derailment last week in Montgomery County was thankfully free of injuries or spills but demonstrates the incredible need for the federal government and the freight rail industry to take action and protect both residents and the environment.”