April 06, 2015

Wyden: NTSB Recommendations Show Need for New Rail Tank Car Standards

Washington, D.C. – Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement after the National Transportation Safety Board issued urgent recommendations for trains carrying crude oil and other flammable liquids:

“Six weeks ago, I asked the White House to take a hard look at the newer, supposedly safer rail tank cars hauling crude oil and other hazardous materials through communities,” Wyden said. “Today, I’m encouraged the watchdogs at the NTSB echoed my call for increased safety by recommending improved standards for these tank cars, following their involvement in several recent crashes. It is my hope that the next step from the administration will be a strong DOT rule that will get these cars upgraded quickly, or get them off the tracks completely.”

Wyden called for the administration to consider the safety of newer, CPC-1232 tank cars in a letter to the White House budget office in February.