releases: https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/michaud-pingree-ask-federal-government-review-way-oil-transported
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/michaud-pingree-ask-federal-government-review-way-oil-transported | Michaud, Pingree ask federal government to review the way oil is transported by railthrough Maine | 2013-07-12 | 2013 | 2013-07 | Democrat | House | ME | Chellie Pingree | P000597 | pingree.house.gov | legacy | In the wake of the tragic train accident in Quebec, Representatives Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree asked the federal government today to review the rail infrastructure that transports oil through Maine. This week, Michaud and Pingree wrote to the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Railroad Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation, saying: "An event like this requires a full accounting of the vulnerabilities of existing rail infrastructure in Maine. We all have an obligation to ensure that any safety issues are identified and dealt with quickly. This is even more important at a time when crude oil shipments through Maine are skyrocketing. In the last year alone crude oil shipments have increased fifteen times over. For example, nearly 30,000 barrels per day crossed Maine via rail in March, compared to only 2,000 barrels per day a year earlier. In addition, there have been three derailments of trains carrying hazardous materials in Maine just during the last six months." Full text of the letter is below. July 11, 2013 Dear Chairman Hersman, Administrator Szabo, and Administrator Quaterman, We write in response to the tragedy at Lac-Mgantic, Quebec, to request a thorough review of the rail infrastructure network that is being used to transport petroleum products through the State of Maine. In the aftermath of the derailment of a freight train carrying crude oil from the Bakken shale fields of North Dakota through the State of Maine to a St. John, New Brunswick refinery, we believe an appropriate response to this tragedy is to gain a full and complete understanding of the existing infrastructure being used to transport crude oil and gas in Maine. The route of the Montreal, Maine, and Atlantic Railway train that derailed in Lac-Mgantic would have taken it directly through Maine and into New Brunswick. Other trains routinely transport crude oil and other hazardous materials through southern Maine and into Canada. An event like this requires a full accounting of the vulnerabilities of existing infrastructure in Maine. We all have an obligation to ensure that any safety issues are identified and dealt with quickly. This is even more important at a time when crude oil shipments through Maine are skyrocketing. In the last year alone crude oil shipments have increased fifteen times over. For example, nearly 30,000 barrels per day crossed Maine via rail in March, compared to only 2,000 barrels per day a year earlier. In addition, there have been three derailments of trains carrying hazardous materials in Maine during just the last six months. In light of this need, we urge you to provide a detailed accounting of the rail networks currently used to transport crude oil and other petroleum products in Maine, identifying any weaknesses in existing infrastructure, and describing best practices to address any deficiencies you find. Your agencies are in aunique position to provide this review and to jump start efforts at the federal, state, and local levels to ensure the safety and well being of Mainers who live near existing rail infrastructure. Thank you for your attention to this request, and for the excellent work you and your agencies do to ensure public safety while supporting our nation's critical infrastructure. If you have questions or need any additional information about this request, please do not hesitate to contact us. Sincerely, Michael Michaud Member of Congress Chellie Pingree Member of Congress | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |