Pa. told to release info on oil trains

    The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records has told state emergency officials to release details on trains carrying crude oil from the Northern Plains following multiple explosive accidents.

    Friday’s order came after railroads had argued the information should be kept secret. Norfolk Southern Railway and CSX Transportation cited potential security risks and business confidentiality.

    But the open records office said the information was neither proprietary nor likely to endanger public safety if released. The railroads were given 30 days to appeal.

    A May 7 U.S. Transportation Department order requires railroads to give state emergency officials details on the frequency and volumes of crude shipments from the Bakken region of Montana and North Dakota.

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    A July, 2013 derailment of Bakken crude in Quebec caused an explosion and fire that killed 47 people.

     

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