WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

State Rep. Jim Moeller on Passage of the Oil Train Transportation Safety Act

“Today, the Washington House of Representatives passed landmark legislation that addresses the growing concerns over the safety of our railroad lines and the transportation of oil. I am proud to have cast my vote in support of the Oil Train Transportation Safety Act.

Oil is shipped throughout the United States every day and pipelines and railways are susceptible to different risks, including train derailment and leaking oil, which the public deserves to know about—before a train comes through their neighborhood.

Companies that transport oil need to be held responsible, which is why the cost of this program is levied through the existing oil barrel tax by increasing the per barrel tax by ten cents, and extending that tax to oil transported by rail and pipelines.

This legislation is about making sure our families are safe from these potential hazards, keeping the public informed about how we transport oil, and making sure the oil transporters are the ones who pay for potential disasters.”