Wash. fire chiefs want BNSF crude train info

OREANDA-NEWS. Fire chiefs in Washington state have asked BNSF Railway for information on crude-by-rail shipments, including the company's worst-case scenarios for a rail disaster, citing "great concern" over recent fiery derailments.

The Washington Fire Chiefs is also seeking BNSF's proof of catastrophic insurance coverage, its comprehensive emergency response plans, and route analysis and route selection for cargoes of chlorine, ammonia, crude and ethanol through Washington state. It has asked for the information to be delivered by 5 April.

"The Washington Fire Chiefs has an interest to ensure the safety of our members and their communities," the association wrote in its letter to the railroad dated 6 March. "This interest goes far beyond a few training sessions."

The crude, rail and tank car industries have been under pressure to address a string of fiery derailments of trains carrying crude, including the July 2013 Lac-Megantic, Quebec, accident that killed 47, and more recent non-lethal explosive accidents in West Virginia and Illinois. The Department of Transportation is weighing proposals that would strengthen tank cars and slow train speeds, and is expected to make new rules final in May. Congress is also considering a number of safety measures.

The Washington Fire Chiefs say in their letter that Seattle, Washington, "narrowly missed disaster" when three tanker cars carrying 643 bl eachof Bakken crude derailed under the city's Magnolia bridge in July 2014. Crude trains continue to pass through the city regularly.

"Our citizens have a right to know what chemical disaster risks exist, and the various hazardous operations that are exposing them to this risk," the group wrote.

BNSF said it was setting up a meeting with the Washington Fire Chiefs to review their concerns.

"Safety's our number one priority and we have aggressively trained in Washington state nearly 2,000 responders," said BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas.

The company has also purchased additional equipment to prepare for the event of a waterways spill, including containment boom and oil skimmers.