Dupage Policy Journal

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) received an update on the recent derailment of a BNSF Railway train carrying crude oil near Galena, Illinois, from BNSF Railway Executive Chairman Matt Rose on Wednesday.

“In the days following the train derailment in Galena, Illinois, BNSF officials worked quickly and efficiently with federal, state and local agencies to respond to the disaster,” Durbin said. “But the fact remains that as these tragic accidents become more frequent, stricter standards are needed to prevent these fiery train derailments from occurring. BNSF and other railway companies will be critical partners in our ongoing efforts to ensure that our communities are safe during the transport of potentially dangerous and combustible products.”

After the derailment incident earlier this month, Durbin wrote Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx and Office of Management and Budget Director Shaun Donovan to urge renewed efforts to create stronger safety standards for the transportation of flammable materials.

Also, Durbin joined 21 Senate colleagues in requesting the Senate Appropriations Committee support investment for a Safe Transportation of Energy Products program to address increasing safety concerns related to the transportation of  crude oil from the Bakken formation and other energy products.