Oil train shipment data kept secret

[hrmjustin]

AP

While the federal government ordered railroads a month ago to give states details about shipments of volatile crude oil from North Dakota's Bakken shale region, New York officials haven't decided whether to share that information with the public.

The Associated Press and eight environmental groups filed Freedom of Information Law requests with the state Office of Emergency Management this week, arguing that it's in the public interest for communities to know more about the shipments following at least eight major accidents during the last year, including one that killed 47 people in Quebec a year ago.

The state agency said it will respond to the information requests within 20 days.

CSX Corp., Union Pacific and BNSF Railway have sought to prevent states from turning over the information on oil train routes and volumes, arguing that details on the shipments are security sensitive.

http://m.timesunion.com/news/article/Oil-train-shipment-data-kept-secret-5600779.php

[hrmjustin]

1. Albany Residents Hold Vigil in Memory of 47 Victims of Quebec Oil Spill

http://albany.twcnews.com/content/news/750896/albany-residents-hold-vigil-in-memory-of-47-victims-of-quebec-oil-spill/

[hrmjustin]

2. Protesters fight oil trains

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2014/07/06/protesters-fight-oil-trains/12277583/

[hrmjustin]

3. 'Small' spill at Port of Albany renews calls for state legislation regulating oil trains

http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-07-07-88521.113122-Small-spill-at-Port-of-Albany-renews-calls-for-state-legislation-regulating-oil-trains.html

[hrmjustin]

4. editorial: Reduce potential for danger on local rails

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/opinion/editorials/2014/07/10/reduce-potential-danger-local-rails/12430117/

[hrmjustin]

5. Hauer to rail companies: No FOIL exemptions for you

http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/216585/hauer-to-rail-companies-no-foil-exemptions-for-you/