train

Derailment after derailment. They just keep happening.

Over the past several years, there have been numerous derailments in North America carrying crude from North Dakota’s Bakken Shale. These accidents have sparked increased calls from citizens, the rail industry and lawmakers for the federal government to increase safety regulations.

To keep up with these incidents and new safety regulations, PublicSource provides a roundup of stories every Friday.

Portland, Ore., opposes crude-by-rail transport

Officials in Multnomah County, which covers Portland, Oregon, passed a resolution to publicly note their opposition to shipping crude oil through a heavily populated area in the state. The resolution calls for a ban on crude-by-rail shipments as well as the construction of any projects that would increase the volume of crude oil in the county. KGW reports that this includes the construction of the Tesoro Savage Vancouver Energy Distribution Terminal, which would be the largest transport facility in North America.

North Dakota officials permit crude oil pipeline

North Dakota regulators approved plans for Dakota Access to build its $3.8 billion, 1,168-mile pipeline in the Bakken oil field. Iowa is the last state the company needs to approve construction. Its regulators are supposed to make a decision in February, according to the Williston Herald. Dakota Access plans to ship 450,000 barrels a day.

Increased violations against rail, train companies

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued 6,485 violations in the last fiscal year, an increase of 23 percent, according to the Wall Street Journal. The FRA collected $15 million in civil penalties, its highest collection ever. The administration’s chief ordered a “zero-tolerance” policy for routes that carry crude oil and hazardous chemicals.

Reach Stephanie Roman at sroman@publicsource.org. Follow her on Twitter @ShogunSteph.

We don't have paywalls — but your support helps us bridge crucial information gaps.

Readers tell us they can't find the information they get from our reporting anywhere else, and we're glad to provide this important service for our community. We work hard to produce accurate, timely, impactful journalism without paywalls that keeps our region informed and moving forward.

However, only about .1% of the people who read our stories contribute to our work financially. Our newsroom depends on the generosity of readers like yourself to make our high-quality local journalism possible, and the costs of the resources it takes to produce it have been rising, so each member means a lot to us.

Your donation to our nonprofit newsroom helps ensure everyone in Allegheny County can stay up-to-date about decisions and events that affect them. Please make your gift of support now.

GIVE NOW