Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today released the following statement on the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) announcement on final rules for tank cars used to carry crude oil by rail.

“The Department of Transportation’s announcement is a long-awaited step, but more must be done to protect our constituents from the dangers associated with moving highly flammable materials through our communities,” DelBene said. “During the past few years, the shipment of crude oil by rail in Washington’s First District has drastically increased. We must ensure that the safest tank cars are being used as quickly as possible and that our first responders have the training necessary to deal with the worst-case scenario.”

The rules announced by the administration on Friday include stiffer construction standards for rail tank cars made after October, phases out older cars starting in 2018 and mandates advanced braking systems and speed limits for trains in high-threat urban areas.

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