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Regulators Tighten Enforcement of Rail-Safety Rules
Regulators Tighten Enforcement of Rail-Safety Rules
Federal Railroad Administration issued 6,485 violations in fiscal 2015, up 23% from previous year, amid worries over shipping oil, chemicals
By Andrew Tangel and Laura Stevens
andrew.tangel@wsj.com
@AndrewTangel
Laura.Stevens@wsj.com
@laurastevenswsj
Updated Jan. 20, 2016 1:26 p.m. ET
Federal regulators are enforcing rail-safety rules more stringently, issuing more alleged violations against Amtrak and freight carriers amid worries over shipping crude oil and hazardous chemicals.
The Federal Railroad Administration leveled 6,485 violations carrying civil penalties against railroads in the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, up 23% from the previous year, according to the agency’s annual enforcement report expected to be announced Wednesday.
The agency said it collected $15 million in civil penalties. The amount represents 75% of fines initially assessed, marking the highest such collection rate on record for the agency. ... The railroad administration’s chief, Sarah Feinberg, said her agency had boosted inspector ranks and adopted a “no tolerance, no patience” policy for safety-rule violations on routes carrying passengers or shipments of crude oil and hazardous materials.
....
Under Ms. Feinberg’s tenure, the agency has struck a tough note on safety. In May, the U.S. Transportation Department unveiled a stricter-than-expected rule on shipping crude by rail, including new tank-car standards and a requirement for new brakes on trains hauling more than 70 cars of hazardous flammable materials. The Transportation Department estimated the rule would cost the railroad industry $2.5 billion over 20 years, and save between $912 million and $2.9 billion due to fewer accidents. Railroads and other entities appealed certain parts of the rule to the agency and were rebuffed.
Federal Railroad Administration issued 6,485 violations in fiscal 2015, up 23% from previous year, amid worries over shipping oil, chemicals
By Andrew Tangel and Laura Stevens
andrew.tangel@wsj.com
@AndrewTangel
Laura.Stevens@wsj.com
@laurastevenswsj
Updated Jan. 20, 2016 1:26 p.m. ET
Federal regulators are enforcing rail-safety rules more stringently, issuing more alleged violations against Amtrak and freight carriers amid worries over shipping crude oil and hazardous chemicals.
The Federal Railroad Administration leveled 6,485 violations carrying civil penalties against railroads in the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, up 23% from the previous year, according to the agency’s annual enforcement report expected to be announced Wednesday.
The agency said it collected $15 million in civil penalties. The amount represents 75% of fines initially assessed, marking the highest such collection rate on record for the agency. ... The railroad administration’s chief, Sarah Feinberg, said her agency had boosted inspector ranks and adopted a “no tolerance, no patience” policy for safety-rule violations on routes carrying passengers or shipments of crude oil and hazardous materials.
....
Under Ms. Feinberg’s tenure, the agency has struck a tough note on safety. In May, the U.S. Transportation Department unveiled a stricter-than-expected rule on shipping crude by rail, including new tank-car standards and a requirement for new brakes on trains hauling more than 70 cars of hazardous flammable materials. The Transportation Department estimated the rule would cost the railroad industry $2.5 billion over 20 years, and save between $912 million and $2.9 billion due to fewer accidents. Railroads and other entities appealed certain parts of the rule to the agency and were rebuffed.
