Heitkamp Introduces Bill to Improve Rail Safety, Require Two-Person Crews on Freight Trains

Press Release

U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp has introduced legislation to require freight trains carrying cargo like crude oil to operate with at least two crewmembers on board, her latest effort to improve safety for North Dakota's communities following derailments in Casselton and Heimdal.

Having two crewmembers on board the train that derailed in Casselton allowed them to act quickly to prevent the fire from escalating further, but trains can still be operated with only one crewmember. After the derailment of a crude oil train near Casselton in 2013, Heitkamp launched her Strong and Safe Communities Initiative to address emerging challenges in the wake of the state's energy boom, and this bill is an important piece of that effort. Her Safe Freight Act builds on this initiative and on her efforts to act on recommendations from the first responders who are on the front lines of protecting North Dakota communities.

"When a disaster like the Casselton derailment sends shockwaves through our communities, we must do everything we can to prevent accidents and improve our ability to respond in the future," Heitkamp said. "After the Casselton derailment, it was clear that having two crewmembers on board the train made all the difference to prevent the fire from escalating and threatening those living nearby. My legislation is a commonsense way to make our communities strong and safe while supporting an industry that is vital to North Dakota jobs and prosperity."

Heitkamp's bill is supported by first responders across the state, as well as SMART Transportation and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.

Heitkamp issued her Strong & Safe Communities Report in August 2016, which provided feedback from North Dakota leaders and recommendations to address safety challenges in the state, such as the transportation of oil on the rails and the need to support a well-trained emergency responders by equipping them with the necessary tools and resources.

Safety is a top priority for Heitkamp as rail is relied on to transport goods -- like crude oil -- that keep North Dakota's economy thriving. Crude is nearing record production levels.

After the Casselton derailment of 2013, Heitkamp has worked to understand what happened, prevent future incidents, and push for improvements to rail safety. In the immediate aftermath, Heitkamp chaired a U.S. Senate hearing to examine emergency readiness. She brought Casselton's Fire Chief, Tim McLean, to testify about his team's experience and lessons from the derailment.

Heitkamp has successfully called for many changes to improve rail safety, including updated standards for tanker cars carrying crude oil, increased safety requirements for shipping routes, and has pushed for enhanced track inspection standards for the rail lines carrying crude oil.

She has also worked closely with federal, state, and local officials, including bringing then-U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to North Dakota in the aftermath of the Casselton derailment.

Heitkamp has also worked to make sure North Dakota's first responders have the support they need to address emergencies such as crude oil derailments. Heitkamp introduced and helped pass into law in 2016 her bipartisan RESPONSE Act to make sure first responders have the training and resources they need to handle potential hazardous incidents, such as derailments of trains carrying hazardous materials. The bill established a public-private council that brought together emergency responders, federal agencies, and leading experts to review training and best practices for first responders. The report on the council's findings is expected later this year.

Heitkamp has also worked to improve first responder safety by helping secure $5 million in federal funding to support a one-of-a-kind federal training facility in Pueblo, Colorado that prepares first responders to handle hazmat incidents on the rails, such as crude oil train derailments.

Ninety-six percent of North Dakota's first responders are volunteers, but it's becoming harder for fire departments to recruit and retain volunteers -- especially in rural areas. Heitkamp has introduced legislation that would incentivize more young men and women in rural America to become volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders by giving them access to a student loan forgiveness program for public servants, and she has also introduced legislation to promote housing opportunities for volunteer first responders.

Joining Heitkamp in introducing the Safe Freight Act are U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Angus King (I-ME), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

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