Apr 23, 2014
By Michael Kramer
Ottawa is pulling 5,000 older tank cars off the rails immediately – as the federal government adopts major rail safety recommendations of the Transportation Safety Board.
Speaking today, Transport Minister Lisa Raitt said the least crash-resistant of Canada’s fleet of older tank cars must be taken off the rails at once.
Raitt also says older tank cars carrying crude oil and ethanol must be phased out or retrofitted within three years.
Railway companys will also be required to prepare emergency response assistance plans – for shipments of all petroleum products.
That includes everything from crude oil to diesel fuel.
Emergency response measures are to be improved across the country – through a task force involving municipalities, first responders, railways and shippers.
The moves are the most recent response to last summer’s derailment and fire in Lac Megantic Quebec – that claimed 47 lives.
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