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The Crude-By-Rail Safety Act

OUR POSITION: CSS supports the bill and urges members of Congress to vote for it.

Washington DC Presidential Inauguration

The Crude-By-Rail Safety Act (S. 859) would establish new federal safety standards for rail cars that transport oil across the country. This legislation comes in response to the wave of oil train derailments and explosions that continue to threaten communities throughout the United States and Canada.

The bill would set a federal safety standard for the more volatile tar sands and shale crude oil. It would require rail cars to be protected by steel shells that are more puncture-resistant as well as thermal jackets that increase fire resistance, and it would require an immediate halt to the transport of oil in any rail car that hasn’t been reinforced.

The bill also mandates more safety inspections of rail carriers and oil producers, heftier penalties for noncompliance and improved spill response plans. And it would require that state and local authorities be notified before oil trains move through their communities.

 

 


 

CSS Resources

Social Media Hashtags: #StopOilTrains #OilTrains   #LacMegantic

Hostility to Basic Safeguards Perpetuates Oil Trains Crisis, Jeopardizes Public Safety
Editorial Board Alert: July 8, 2015

Resident Explains How Oil and Chemical Trains Endanger Houston
Personal Story: June 10, 2015

Conservatives Complain About Regulatory Delays, Yet Vote for Roadblocks
Op-Ed: April 21, 2015

The Crude-By-Rail Safety Act
Fact Sheet: March 25, 2015

 


 

Resources from Members and Affiliates

Dangers of Oil Trains: The Mosier Accident
Earthjustice: June 21, 2016

Resident Explains How Oil and Chemical Trains Endanger Houston
Public Citizen: July 20, 2015

Two Years After Quebec Disaster, Thousands Rally to #StopOilTrains
Center for Effective Government: July 10, 2015

Stop Oil Trains Week of Action Activist Resources: July 6 – 12, 2015
ForestEthics: July 6, 2015

Cities, Waterkeepers, Conservation Groups Seek Notification on Explosive Oil Train Traffic
Earthjustice: June 8, 2015

The Reality of U.S. Oil Transport
Center for Progressive Reform: May 20, 2015

Groups Sue Obama Administration Over Weak Tank Car Standards
Earthjustice: May 14, 2015

7 Hidden Dangers Buried in the Federal Tank Car Rule
Earthjustice: May 14, 2015

North Dakota Derailment Shows Rail Car Danger Must Be Addressed Now
Public Citizen: May 6, 2015

Oil Train Rule a First Step, But More Needed to Protect Communities
Public Citizen: May 1, 2015

Obama Administration Leaves Explosive Oil Trains on the Rails for Years
Earthjustice: May 1, 2015

A 300-Foot High Fireball from an Exploding Bakken Oil Train: When Will New Rail Safety Standards Be Approved?
Center for Effective Government: March 26, 2015

Coalition Praises Sen. Cantwell’s Call for Immediate Ban on Dangerous Railcars Carrying Crude Oil
Earthjustice: March 25, 2015

Public Citizen Applauds New Bill Addressing the Oil Trains Crisis
Public Citizen: March 25, 2015

Baldwin and Cantwell Introduce Oil Train Safety Legislation
Press Conference: March 25, 2015

Cantwell, Murray, Baldwin, and Feinstein Introduce Oil Train Safety Legislation
Sen. Maria Cantwell: March 25, 2015

Can We Get Serious about Train Safety? Technology Could Reduce 40 Percent of Rail Accidents
Center for Effective Government: March 24, 2015

Cantwell, Heitkamp Lead 20 Other Senators in Call for Crude-by-Rail Safety Investments
Sen. Maria Cantwell: March 23, 2015

Improving Track Maintenance is Key to Oil Train Safety
Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees, International Brotherhood of Teamsters: March 23, 2015

Yet Another Explosive Wake-Up Call
Earthjustice: March 5, 2015

A 300-Foot High Fireball from an Exploding Bakken Oil Train: When Will New Rail Safety Standards Be Approved?
Center for Effective Government: February 18, 2015

Derailed Rules: North Dakota’s New Oil-by-Rail Standard Doesn’t Address Causes of Recent Catastrophes
Center for Effective Government: December 22, 2014

Broad Coalition of Groups Call on Governor Cuomo to Ban Exploding Oil Trains
Earthjustice: October 21, 2014

Tracking Toxic Trains in California and Boosting Federal Safeguards
Center for Effective Government: September 8, 2014

Quick Action Needed on Federal Rules to Reduce Oil Train Dangers
Center for Effective Government: August 5, 2014

New Analysis and Interactive Map Illustrate Dangers of Freight Trains Carrying Toxic Chemicals
Center for Effective Government: August 8, 2013

Banning the Use of Hazardous Rail Cars
Earthjustice