“The governor announced today that a new round of ‘targeted crude oil tank car and rail inspections uncovered 93 defects, including seven critical safety defects that required immediate corrective action, and two hazardous materials violations.’ Locally, at the Canadian-Pacific Kenwood Rail Yard in Albany, rail equipment inspectors found dozens of defects ranging from thin brake shoes to missing pins. A hazardous materials inspector from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) also issued two violations to the oil shipping company Global Partners.

“These discoveries further underscore the need for improved safety measures that could prevent catastrophic disasters before they occur, not simply assure adequate funds for post-disaster cleanup. In September of last year, I called for the stabilization of Bakken crude oil in a letter to the North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC). And earlier this month, Senator Schumer joined the call for oil stabilization. The stabilization process removes explosive natural gas liquids (NGLs) from the crude oil that make it so volatile. Oil producers in Texas have already been efficiently stabilizing crude oil for over 20 years.

“We must hold crude oil transporters to the highest standard of safety. The communities we represent deserve nothing less.”