New safety standards adopted after Governor urges federal government to act
ST. PAUL, MN - Governor Mark Dayton
commended new federal rail safety regulations announced today by President Obama's U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Anthony Foxx. The new regulations are a response to railway safety concerns in Minnesota, and across the country. /governor/assets/2014_09_24_pipeline_hazardous_materials_safety_admin.pdf_tcm1055-92388.pdfGovernor Dayton pushed the federal government to take action to improve railway safety standards, detailing the increasing volume of oil shipments through the state, and the dangers those shipments pose to Minnesota residents. Secretary Foxx and Governor Dayton spoke on the phone this morning to discuss the new federal regulations, and the impacts they will have in Minnesota.
"These new federal regulations are important steps toward improving the safety of Minnesotans," said Governor Dayton. "However, other improvements to rail safety are urgently needed to provide Minnesotans with the protections they need. I urge the Minnesota legislature to pass my Rail Safety legislation before their adjournment.
About the New Federal Safety Standard
Secretary Foxx today
announced a final rule for the safe transportation of flammable liquids by rail. The final rule, developed by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), in coordination with Canada, focuses on safety improvements that are designed to prevent accidents, mitigate consequences in the event of an accident, and support emergency response. Specifically, the new rule:
- Unveils a new, enhanced tank car standard and an aggressive, risk-based retrofitting schedule for older tank cars carrying crude oil and ethanol;
- Requires a new braking standard for certain trains that will offer a superior level of safety by potentially reducing the severity of an accident, and the "pile-up effect";
- Designates new operational protocols for trains transporting large volumes of flammable liquids, such as routing requirements, speed restrictions, and information for local government agencies; and
- Provides new sampling and testing requirements to improve classification of energy products placed into transport.
/governor/assets/transportation_railroads_fact_sheet_tcm1055-114720.pdfAbout the Governor's Railway Safety Proposal
Governor Dayton's railway safety plan would invest $330 million over the next ten years in safer railroad crossings, and provide additional bonding dollars to fund major grade separations in Coon Rapids, Moorhead, Prairie Island, and Willmar. The proposal would implement new quiet zones in communities located along busy rail lines, provide better training for emergency managers and first responders, and hire a new Rail Office Director who would help position the state to play a larger role in addressing freight rail service and safety issues throughout Minnesota.
By contrast, the House GOP has proposed a $5 million investment in railway safety this session.
/governor/assets/transportation_railroads_fact_sheet.pdf_tcm1055-92993.pdfTo learn more about Governor Dayton's railway safety proposal and how it works, click here. /governor/assets/fact_sheet_rail_projects.pdf_tcm1055-92417.pdfFor a full list of the projects that the Governor's proposal would fund, click here.
