Wisconsin Refusing to Sign Railroad Agreement on Shipping Crude Oil
Saturday, June 7th, 2014 -- 6:30 AM
-U.S. railroads forced to turn over details of their crude oil shipments are asking states to sign agreements not to disclose the information. Some states are refusing, saying the information should be public.Federal officials last month ordered railroads to make the disclosures following a string of fiery tank car accidents in North Dakota, Alabama, Virginia and Quebec, where 47 people died.
The information due Saturday includes route details, and train frequency and emergency response information for trains hauling 1 million gallons or more of crude.
BNSF, Union Pacific and CSX are seeking agreements that the information won't be publicly shared. They say the information is security sensitive.
Officials in Wisconsin, Montana, Illinois, North Dakota, Idaho and Washington state have refused to sign, citing open record laws and the need for public awareness.
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