Bill requiring safety plans for oil trains in Oregon heads to Gov. Brown

The Oregon Legislature has taken the initiative to pass a bill designed to establish and maintain an Oil Spill Preparedness Fund and better prepare the state for the next disastrous oil spill. The bill establishes High Hazard Oil Routes across the state and railroads hauling oil or other toxic materials will be charged a per-car fee. Railroads will also be required to submit spill prevention plans and emergency response plans to the state. 

“The Oregon Senate approved a bill to require that railroad companies are better prepared for oil spills.” The move advances legislation delayed for years by the strong influence of corporate money in Oregon politics, an investigation by The Oregonian/OregonLive found.

House Bill 2209 now heads to the governor’s desk.

California and Washington took similar action years ago.

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Bill requiring safety plans for oil trains in Oregon heads to Gov. Brown, The Oregonian staff and wire reports, Oregon Live