Fiery oil train accidents across the country—more than six since the beginning of this year—drive home the dangers of transporting hazardous materials via rail within yards of homes, schools, and playgrounds. Gerri Songer, a member of the Sierra Club Woods and Wetlands Group and contact for Energy Transport and Infrastructure, will outline the need for better regulations and more safety measures.

Through public records, she learned that these trains were transporting toxic, hazardous, and explosive substances. She found that many oil trains have had accidents that generated harmful hazardous runoff. Ms. Songer is an educator and serves as Education Chair for the Township District 214 Education Association. Her experiences in civic participation and environmental concern have inspired her to teach high school students how to become participants in their democracy and advocates for public health and safety through an extracurricular, “Students4Democracy” at Elk Grove High School, where she teaches. 

Attendees and friends are invited to have dinner and meet the speaker at Princivalli's Restaurant, 602 E 3rd St, Alton, IL 62002, starting at 5:30 PM. The program is at the First Unitarian Church, 110 E. Third Street in Alton on September 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Our Speaker Series topics this fall include special presentations on solar energy and the Clean Jobs Bill in October by a representative from Straight Up Solar, and a presentation in November by Steve Sands on his trip to Nebraska to observe the great Sand Hill Crane Migration.