Senator Says DOT Timetable on Rail Tanker Rules Taking too Long

Sen. John Hoeven says the Department of Transportation needs to speed up its timeline for finalizing new rules on the construction of rail tanker cars.

Hoeven’s comments came after the DOT published an item in the federal register indicating that rules might not be finalized until sometime after January 2015. The timeline was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Hoeven says he is concerned that if the DOT doesn’t provide guidance sooner it will be hard for the oil industry to get newer, safer tankers up and running. He says the industry needs certainty.

New regulations for oil tankers have come into focus after a string of tanker derailments, including one earlier this month in Casselton, N.D., that led to an evacuation of the town.