Oil train worries

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John Stang

John Stang Feb 6, 2018

Feb 6, 2018

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                <h1>Oil train worries</h1>
                <h2><p>Two Washington state senators have asked the feds to go further in expanding public disclosure requirements on oil trains. Last week, the U.S. Deparment of Transportation department said any train carrying more than 1 million gallons of oil must make information on the contents available to emergency services and</p></h2>
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               <p>By <a href="/author/john-stang-crosscut-com/">John Stang</a></p> 
              <p><time datetime="2025-02-04T05:00:00-08:00">Feb 6, 2018</time></p>
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            <p>Two Washington state senators have asked the feds to go further in expanding public disclosure requirements on oil trains. Last week, the U.S. Deparment of Transportation department <a href="http://www.pressherald.com/2014/06/19/dot-oil-train-details-not-sensitive-security-information/?ref=dev.cascadepbs.org">said any train carrying more</a> than 1 million gallons of oil must make information on the contents available to emergency services and the public. However, Sens. Christine Rolfes, D- Bainbridge Island, and Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, have <a href="http://sdc.wastateleg.org/ranker/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2014/06/Letter-to-USDOT.pdf?ref=dev.cascadepbs.org">sent a letter to the feds</a>, asking for public disclosure on any trains that include oil cars. "An incident involving release and ignition of Bakken crude from even one rail car could potentially cause the loss of life and severe damage in some of our densely populated communities," they wrote.In the Washington Legislature, Democratic legislators have favored notifications about trains carrying oil, while Republicans have said companies should be able to keep information confidential. Neither side has been able to get its oil train legislation passed. — J.S.</p>
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Two Washington state senators have asked the feds to go further in expanding public disclosure requirements on oil trains. Last week, the U.S. Deparment of Transportation department said any train carrying more than 1 million gallons of oil must make information on the contents available to emergency services and the public. However, Sens. Christine Rolfes, D- Bainbridge Island, and Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, have sent a letter to the feds, asking for public disclosure on any trains that include oil cars. "An incident involving release and ignition of Bakken crude from even one rail car could potentially cause the loss of life and severe damage in some of our densely populated communities," they wrote.In the Washington Legislature, Democratic legislators have favored notifications about trains carrying oil, while Republicans have said companies should be able to keep information confidential. Neither side has been able to get its oil train legislation passed. — J.S.

By John Stang

John Stang is a freelance writer who often covers state government and the environment. He can be reached on email at johnstang_8@hotmail.com and on Twitter at @johnstang_8