SCHUMER: RAIL CARS INVOLVED IN WEST VIRGINIA CRUDE OIL EXPLOSION WOULD NOT HAVE MET PROPOSED FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS – SENATOR CALLS WVA DERAILMENT A SHOT ACROSS THE BOW AND CALLS FOR FEDERAL DOT & OMB TO FINALIZE TOUGHEST POSSIBLE RAIL CAR RULES ASAP
Schumer Notes That the Rail Cars that Just Exploded in West Virginia — CPC-1232s – Would Likely Not Be Strong Enough to Meet Proposed Dept. of Transportation Standards
Schumer Says CPC-1232s Are Yet Another Weak Model of Rail Cars Barreling Through NYS With Volatile Crude Oil – New Regs Are Needed To Toughen Standards
Schumer: West Virginia Crash Should Be Shot Across the Bow – Strongest Regulations Possible Must Be Put in Place As Soon As Possible
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the Department of Transportation and the Office of Management and Budget to expedite the release of finalized rules and new comprehensive car standards for trains carrying oil in the wake of the West Virginia accident. Schumer’s call comes after it was revealed that the crude-oil rail cars that were part of the massive explosion in West Virginia this week would likely not meet the proposed rules and new car standards that the federal Department of Transportation (DOT) is pursuing. Schumer said it was critically important that OMB and DOT not weaken these rules as they are finalized, in light of the West Virginia accident.
“Yet again, we have seen a rupture-prone rail car carrying volatile crude oil wreak havoc on a community, and it further demonstrates that the federal Department of Transportation and Office of Management and Budget must release tough, comprehensive rail car standards to help avoid a future tragedy. The CPC-1232 may be a newer rail car model, but it is just barely stronger than the more infamous DOT-111s. I am confident that DOT will be implementing much stronger requirements for the strength and structure of rail cars carrying crude oil in their soon-to be released rule, and I am urging them to work with OMB to get those rules out the door – now.”
Schumer noted that the train that derailed and exploded in West Virginia was made up of CPC-1232 cars, which are not significantly safer than the rupture-prone DOT-111 cars. Specifically, it is estimated that unjacketed CPC-1232 cars can only withstand a derailment at slightly faster speeds than the DOT-111 cars without rupturing. In addition, unjacketed CPC-1232 cars can only withstand a fire for slightly longer than the most dangerous DOT-111 cars. The standard that the federal DOT is pursuing would likely require a car model that can withstand higher speeds and duration of fire. DOT’s proposed rule laid out three options for enhanced tank car standard requirements; the CPC-1232 would likely not meet even the weakest of these three proposed standards.
Schumer said that the accident in West Virginia demonstrates yet again that weak, rupture-prone cars, are endangering communities and first responders throughout New York and across the United States, and he urged the DOT and OMB to finally release their rule.
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