"Rail Industry Pushes White House To Ease Oil Train Safety Rules"

"The U.S. rail industry is pushing the White House to drop a requirement that oil trains adopt an advanced braking system, a cornerstone of a national safety plan that will soon govern shipments of crude across the country.

Representatives of large rail operators met with White House officials last week to argue against the need for electronically controlled pneumatic brakes, or ECP brakes, saying they "would not have significant safety benefits" and "would be extremely costly," according to a handout from the meeting.

ECP brakes trigger all axles simultaneously rather than one at a time in current design.

More than a dozen industry representatives made their case at the Washington meeting last Friday, a day after a crude oil train derailed in Illinois."

Valerie Volcovici and Patrick Rucker report for Reuters March 10, 2015.

SEE ALSO:

"Rail Industry Lobbied Against New Oil-by-Rail Safety Regulations The Day After Rail Accident" (DeSmogBlog)

"Canada To Propose Tougher Oil Tank Standards After a String of Derailments" (AP)

"Train Deaths Rise Amid Energy-Driven Rail Transformation" (Daily Climate)

"Fast-Growing Railroads Will Miss Safety System Deadline" (Daily Climate)

"Five Ways Energy Change Is Transforming US Railroads" (Daily Climate)