Posted on 02/21/2014 10:27:40 AM PST by thackney
Railroads that haul volatile crude shipments have reached an agreement with U.S. transportation officials to adopt wide-ranging voluntary safety measures after a string of explosive and deadly accidents.
A copy of the agreement between the U.S. Transportation Department and the Association of American Railroads was obtained Friday by The Associated Press.
It calls for railroads to slow down oil trains through major cities, increase track inspections and bolster emergency response planning along routes that carry trains hauling up to 3 million gallons of oil each. Those trains now pass regularly from oil producing areas, including the Northern Plains, to coastal refineries.
It was not immediately clear how the agreement would be enforced, and it did not address concerns over another fuel, ethanol, that’s also seen a spate of accidents as production has increased. Nor does it deal with design flaws in tens of thousands of tank cars that make them prone to rupture during derailments.
(Excerpt) Read more at fuelfix.com ...
If only there were a better, safer, cheaper way to transport oil.
Hmm. . . maybe there’s a better way to move oil.
Like, say, a PIPELINE ????
Yes....
If only...
The rail industry has also agreed to add technology enabling crews to apply emergency brakes from both ends of the train, allowing the train to stop more quickly. Railroads will also start using new routes around high-risk areas, as determined by a risk-management system.
In addition, railroads will inspect mainline routes carrying crude oil at least one time more annually than required by federal regulations. The current number of inspections varies according to usage and condition of the tracks.
The industry has committed $5 million to improve training for handling crude-by-rail accidents, including for local responders, and develop emergency response resources in case of a crude oil spill.
Oil shipping bump for later...........
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