Oil Trains

An oil well in a mountainous and remote part of Utah.

Utah Oil Shale Extraction Dealt Major Setback

The Surface Transportation Board's approval in 2021 of a proposed 85-mile Uinta Basin Railway in Utah that would have enabled increased extraction of the world's largest source of oil shale was partially vacated by a federal appeals court last month.

September 3, 2023 - Progressive Railroading

Coal Railroad

Spokane Voters to Decide Whether to Regulate Oil and Coal Trains

Proposition 2, the Safer Spokane Initiative, would require railroads to reduce health and safety risks posed by certain types of oil and coal trains traveling through specified parts of the city or risk being fined.

October 21, 2017 - The Spokesman-Review

Will Columbia River Gorge Oil Train Derailment Be a 'Death Knell' for Bakken Crude-by-Rail?

After a long night fighting a fire that erupted when a 96-car oil train carrying Bakken crude from North Dakota derailed on June 3 in Mosier, Oregon, the fire chief called for an end to shipping the volatile oil by rail.

June 6, 2016 - The Oregonian

Calls for Better Emergency Plans for Denver's Oil Trains

The sight of trains passing by luxury condos might be foreign to some cities, but not Denver. The risk posed by crude oil shipments passing on those rails, however, is too much for some residents to accept without a plan.

December 3, 2015 - The Denver Post

Five Days after DOT Releases Crude-by-Rail Rule, Another Oil Train Explodes

Critics warned that a Department of Transportation rule allowing up to 10 years to phase out existing oil tank cars would result in more explosions. The rule was issued on May 1; an explosion occurred May 6.

May 8, 2015 - The New York Times - Energy & Environment

Older Oil Tank Rail Cars Face Three-Year Deadline to be Replaced

Following up on last month's emergency rule addressing trains speeds, the Transportation Department issued new rules addressing tanker car standards, long thought to be one of the most important factors contributing to fiery oil tank car explosions.

May 4, 2015 - The New York Time - Energy & Environment

Emergency Crude-by-Rail Safety Orders Take Effect

The emergency rules issued by DOT, including lowering oil-train speeds to 40 mph in urban areas, go into effect on April 20. They are in addition to rules expected to be released May 12 that address oil tanker car construction.

April 20, 2015 - The New York Times - Energy & Environment

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.