Bill Text: NJ SR95 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges US DOT to promulgate regulations concerning transport of crude oil by rail that ensures safety of NJ residents who live along railroads.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-10-16 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Transportation Committee [SR95 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-SR95-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator CHRISTOPHER "KIP" BATEMAN
District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)
SYNOPSIS
Urges US DOT to promulgate regulations concerning transport of crude oil by rail that ensures safety of NJ residents who live along railroads.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution urging the United States Department of Transportation to promulgate regulations concerning the transport of crude oil by rail that ensures the safety of the many New Jersey residents who live along the railroads.
Whereas, Each day an estimated seven million gallons of crude oil from the Bakken Shale formation are transported from North Dakota by rail to refineries and storage facilities in New Jersey and neighboring states; and
Whereas, The crude oil from the Bakken Shale formation has a lower flash point than other types of crude oil and is therefore more prone to ignite during a train derailment or train accident; and
Whereas, Certain rail tank cars, known as DOT-111 tank cars, that are being used to transport crude oil have been designated as substandard for shipping highly flammable liquids by the National Transportation Safety Board, which serves as the federal agency responsible for investigating transportation accidents; and
Whereas, According to the American Association of Railroads, only 15 percent of the 92,000 DOT-111 tank cars in use today meet the latest industry safety standards for rail tank cars; and
Whereas, Many DOT-111 tank cars have thin steel shells that are unable to withstand puncturing in the event of a train derailment or accident; and
Whereas, In an effort to reduce this risk, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has begun the process of designating new safety standards and requirements for rail tank cars and are evaluating new rules for the transportation of highly flammable liquids; and
Whereas, On July 23, 2014, the USDOT proposed new regulations that enhance DOT-111 tank car design standards and create new operational requirements for the transport of highly flammable liquids by train, which include braking protocols and speed restrictions; and
Whereas, Congress is urged to support the regulations proposed by the USDOT in the interest of the safety of the many New Jersey residents who live along the railroads and are directly impacted by the transport of crude oil by rail; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House urges the United States Department of Transportation to promulgate regulations concerning the transport of crude oil by rail that ensures the safety of the many New Jersey residents who live along the railroads.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation and each member of the United States Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) to promulgate regulations concerning the transport of crude oil by rail that ensures the safety of the many New Jersey residents who live along the railroads.
Each day an estimated seven million gallons of crude oil are transported from the Bakken Shale formation in North Dakota through New Jersey by rail. The Bakken crude oil has a lower flash point than other types of crude oil and is more prone to ignite during a train derailment or train accident.
Certain rail tank cars, known as DOT-111 tank cars, that are used to transport crude oil have been designated as substandard for shipping highly flammable liquids. Only 15 percent of the 92,000 DOT-111 tank cars in use today meet the latest industry safety standards for rail tank cars. Many DOT-111 tank cars have thin steel shells that are unable to withstand puncturing in the event of a train derailment or accident.
In an effort to reduce this risk, the USDOT has begun the process of evaluating new rules for the transportation of highly flammable liquids. These rules include enhanced DOT-111 tank car design standards and new operational requirements for the transport of highly flammable liquids by train. Congress is urged to support the regulations proposed by the USDOT in the interest of the safety of the many New Jersey residents who live along the railroads.
