Cargo Business Newswire

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Washington state regulators want to fine BNSF $700K

Regulators in Washington state have recommended that BNSF Railway be fined up to $700,000 for failing to properly report more than a dozen hazardous materials spills in recent months, despite the fact that the state had reminded the company about its reporting obligations in the fall of 2014.

This month Washington’s Utilities and Transportation Commission staff found BNSF had failed to report 14 releases of hazardous materials, including crude oil leaks, within a half hour of learning about the leaks, as required by state law.

In one case, crews at BP Cherry Point refinery discovered crude oil had leaked onto the sides and wheels of a tank car, which was found to be 1,611 gallons short. That was on Nov. 5, but the UTC didn’t find out about it until Dec. 3, when it got a copy of the report BNSF sent to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Railroads have 30 days to file that DOT report.

For more of the Bellingham Herald story: www.bellinghamherald.com