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Wolf seeks Obama's help in boosting oil-train safety

Gov. Wolf on Friday joined a chorus of officials pressuring the federal government to improve oil-train safety, and urged the government to reduce the volatility of North Dakota crude oil, which has been implicated in several recent fiery accidents.

Gov. Wolf on Friday joined a chorus of officials pressuring the federal government to improve oil-train safety, and urged the government to reduce the volatility of North Dakota crude oil, which has been implicated in several recent fiery accidents.

The new governor released a letter he wrote to President Obama this week about the increasing rail volumes of crude oil, saying Pennsylvania has become one of the nation's biggest destinations for explosive North Dakota crude.

Wolf estimated that 60 to 70 trains carrying North Dakota crude travel through Pennsylvania each week. Philadelphia officials estimate that 45 to 80 oil trains from all sources, not just North Dakota's Bakken Shale, move through the city weekly.

Wolf praised the economic benefits Pennsylvania has derived from shale gas and oil, but said the rail traffic "raises particularly significant safety concerns."

While Wolf said oil-train safety was "a top priority" for his administration, he acknowledged there is little the state can do because interstate rail traffic is largely regulated by federal agencies.

In his letter, Wolf called:

For national standards to reduce the vapor pressure of crude oil prior to transportation. North Dakota is taking steps to strip some gaseous compounds from Bakken crude. "But we have to ensure all Bakken crude has been treated to remove dangerous volatiles and is transported under the appropriate pressure and other relevant conditions," Wolf wrote.

For a review of oil-train speed limits, though he noted that several recent derailments and explosions occurred at speeds less than the current federal standard of 40 m.p.h. in high-density urban areas.

For additional federal aid for rail inspectors, saying that Pennsylvania has only six inspectors trained to examine the state's 5,000 miles of track.

For stronger standards for tank cars and braking systems. Recent accidents in West Virginia and Canada both led to large oil fires, even though the newer model tank cars were involved.

Wolf's announcement followed a call from Sen. Robert P. Casey (D., Pa.), who on Thursday urged the Obama administration to speed up a review of oil-train rules.