Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Schumer: Make oil safer before train shipments

mprnews.org

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Sen. Charles Schumer says oil companies should be required to make their crude less dangerous to transport before loading it onto trains.

The Democrat said Wednesday that much of the oil being shipped via train can be rendered less hazardous by removing flammable gasses first.

Oil coming from North Dakota's Bakken Shale formation is considered more volatile than other types of oil because it contains a greater amount of gas.

Schumer says he's asking the U.S. Department of Transportation to impose the requirement, which he says would reduce the risk of train car explosions.

Albany is a hub for crude-by-rail shipments from North Dakota to East Coast refineries.

The Associated Press is one of the largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering, supplying a steady stream of news to its members, international subscribers and commercial customers. AP is neither privately owned nor government-funded; instead, it's a not-for-profit news cooperative owned by its American newspaper and broadcast members.