Many constituents have told me they are nervous about the crude oil trains on the tracks in their neighborhoods. These concerns are completely valid, and I share them too. That’s why no one in our state’s Congressional delegation is working harder to hold railroads and shippers accountable for higher standards to keep our communities safe. I’m working with first responders, local, state and federal officials, and industry experts to put in place stronger standards for tank cars, make sure rail lines are well maintained, and ensure first responders know how to handle a potential accident. 

Tank Car Safety

I’m pushing the U.S. Department of Transportation through letters and meetings with Secretary Foxx to improve the standards for the tank cars carrying crude oil. I also led our state’s Congressional delegation in urging the administration to implement new tank car standards as quickly as possible. These tank cars should have thicker walls and protective shields at the front and back to stop them from puncturing so easily. We also need to phase out the older, less safe rail cars as soon as possible.

Rail Operations and Inspections

I am advocating for stricter requirements about how often rail cars, tracks and loading facilities get inspected. We also need more inspectors to make sure the work is getting done. I am pushing the House Appropriations Committee to provide more money for these inspectors, and earlier this year I examined BNSF’s inspection and maintenance processes in Everett to understand them better. Keeping the tracks maintained will help keep communities safe.

Classification

Much of the increase in crude oil transported by rail is coming from North Dakota’s Bakken region. We don’t know everything about Bakken oil because it’s so new, which means we need more information about its characteristics and whether it is more prone to explosion so we can treat it properly. That’s why I pressed industry officials in a hearing I requested earlier this year to be clear about how Bakken crude might be different so it can be shipped as safely as possible. I’ve also asked Department of Transportation Secretary Foxx to do everything he can to investigate the properties of this oil. More information means more power to keep communities safe.

First Responders

I am leading our Congressional delegation in efforts to make sure that first responders get the best training possible to handle any incidents with crude oil traveling by rail. I connected local fire departments with free trainings and am working with local officials to plan other training events across Northwest Washington. We also need to make sure that our first responders get the resources they need, which is why I asked my colleagues to provide funding for local emergency response training and planning.