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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (July 13, 2016)
NORTHWEST Wednesday, July 13, 2016 East Oregonian Page 7A 6ORZSURJUHVVVHHQRQ¿[LQJIDXOW\UDLOFDUV BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Slow progress has been made on efforts to upgrade or replace tens of thousands of rupture-prone rail cars used to transport oil and ethanol, GHVSLWHQXPHURXV¿HU\GHUDLOPHQWV that prompted new rules for the LQGXVWU\ 86 VDIHW\ RI¿FLDOV VDLG Tuesday. Just over 10,300 stronger tank cars mandated by the new rules are available for service, according to ¿JXUHVREWDLQHGE\7KH$VVRFLDWHG Press from the Association of American Railroads. That’s equivalent to roughly 20 percent of the 51,500 tank cars used to haul crude and ethanol during WKH¿UVWTXDUWHURI Fiery accidents and spills involving the older, rupture-prone cars have occurred in Oregon, Montana, North Dakota, Illinois, West Virginia and Canada. In Lac-Megantic, Quebec, 47 people were killed when a runaway oil train derailed in 2013. During the most recent accident last month in Oregon, 42,000 gallons of crude oil spilled, sparking a massive ¿UH WKDW EXUQHG IRU KRXUV QHDU the small town of Mosier in the Columbia River Gorge. 7UDQVSRUWDWLRQRI¿FLDOVDQGUDLO and oil industry representatives have touted the new rules as a key piece of their efforts to prevent more accidents. Yet National Transportation Safety Board member Robert Sumwalt told the AP on Tuesday that federal regulators need to set milestones to hold the industry accountable for getting unsafe cars off the tracks. “There’s been 28 accidents over the past 10 years. That’s almost three accidents a year,” Sumwalt said. “Unfortunately, history shows we probably will have more acci- GHQWVLQYROYLQJÀDPPDEOHOLTXLGV´ The accident-prone cars do not have to be fully replaced until 2029, although most would have to come off the tracks sooner. Without mandatory, periodic benchmarks for meeting the requirement, the decision to upgrade their cars during the next several years. Communities such as Mosier — scene of one train GHUDLOPHQW ² PXVW EH FRQ¿GHQW — Robert Sumwalt, NTSB member that companies are using the safest tank cars possible, he said. upgrade to safer tank car designs planned in Washington, D.C., The railroad association said ³LV OHIW HQWLUHO\ WR WDQN FDU ÀHHW where government and industry only 700 of the least resilient owners, and may be driven by RI¿FLDOV ZHUH VHW WR XSGDWH WKH model of the older-style tank cars PDUNHWIDFWRULQÀXHQFHVQRWVDIHW\ safety board on progress addressing remain in service. Most of the cars improvements,” NTSB Chairman the issue. in current use have at least some Christopher Hart said in a letter Tom Simpson with the improvements, such as shields at Tuesday to the U.S. Department Railway Supply Institute, which either end of the car to help prevent of Transportation’s Pipeline and represents tank car manufacturers punctures during derailments. Hazardous Materials Safety and owners, said the industry is 7UDQVSRUWDWLRQ RI¿FLDOV Administration. committed to putting stronger cars cautioned, however, that thousands Transportation Department in place. Members of the group of idled “legacy cars” could quickly Press Secretary Clark Pettig said will meet deadlines for replacing or come back online if oil prices rise in response that the schedule to upgrading the cars, he said. and shipment volumes rebound. UHWUR¿WROGHUFDUVZDVORFNHGLQE\ Demand for rail cars has eased Most tank cars are owned or Congress in a transportation bill as crude shipments decreased with leased by companies that ship fuel approved last year. The Congres- lower oil prices, Simpson said. by rail, not the railroads themselves. sional deadline represents “the “The need to modify or install Railroad association spokesman Ed absolute last moment” to meet the new cars isn’t as urgent as when the Greenberg declined comment on new standards, he said. rule was issued,” he said. the progress being made toward “We agree with NTSB that A bill from U.S. Sen. Ron replacing older cars. industry should work to beat those Wyden of Oregon and other “Every tank car carrying crude deadlines,” Pettig added. Democratic lawmakers would or ethanol needs to be upgraded or A Wednesday meeting was offer tax credits for companies that replaced,” he said. “History shows we probably will have more accidents involving flammable liquids.” PO BOX 1 • 101 Olson Rd • Boardman, OR 97818 • 541-481-3014 www.boardmanchamber.org • email: info@boardmanchamber.org Thanks to all who helped make our event successful: 2016 Our Sponsors! PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC Columbia River Processing Boardman Foods Rogers Toyota Boardman Hardware Avista Subway Lamb-Weston/Con-Agra Foods Three Mile Canyon Farms Oxford Suites Hermiston Port of Morrow Umatilla Electric Coop High Performance Signs & Graphics And thanks to MCURD for helping fund this event! Glow 5K Run/Walk All the volunteers and all those who ran and walked in the event! The Boy Scouts for a great breakfast! July 4th Celebration Parade The Boardman Fire Corps, Art and Dean Kegler for announcing the parade, Lisa Mittelsdorf and Smokey Joe Wightman for setting up the announcers’ stage, all the Parade entrants, and all who came out to watch us! CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR AWARD WINNERS! Mayor’s Choice and Best of Show Riverside High School Cheerleaders Most Patriotic The Morgan Family July 4th Activities in the Marina Park The Police Reserve for the 3-on-3 basketball tournament, the Columbia Youth Soccer Club for the soccer tournament, Art and Matt Kegler and Brenda Profi tt for the Horseshoe Tournament, Sam Boardman Elementary School PTO for providing kids’ games, all our vendors, the Boardman Parks and Recreation Department, and all who attended the activities in the park. July 4th Planning Committee and Volunteers Alan and Carrie Carnahan Muriel Darr Julie Gisi Keri Heideman Sarah Kimmell Emerald Lantis Karen Pettigrew Maria Richards George Shimer Stefanie Swindler Jim Young and so many others! Zumba warmup before the Glow Run, compliments of 1 Hr. Cardio Crush! Boy Scout Honor Guard! Best of Show and Mayor’s Award entry! Most Patriotic entry in the parade! Cabins ~ RV’s ~ Tents Fishing ~ ATV Trails Concessions Reservation Line 541-989-8214 Website: morrowcountyparks.org Email: mcparks co.morrow.or.us Morrow County Public Works 365 W. Hwy 74 • PO Box Lexington, OR 97839 541-989-9500 office Columbia River Community Health Services 450 Tatone Street • Boardman For your appointment, call 541-481-7212 Hours: Mon. 7:30am-7pm • Tues.-Fri. 7:30am-5pm Hablamos Español Some of our services include: • Well Baby/ Child Exams • Childhood/ Adult Immunizations • Sports Physicals • Men’s & Women’s Health Exams • CDL Physicals • Flu Shots • Pre-employment Screenings • Chronic Disease Management • Limited Access to Dental Care Shop Local. Save Money. Our experienced agents can analyze your insurance needs and select the company or companies best suited to your individual situation. You'll get hometown service from your neighbors and friends. Monday through Friday, or by appointment. www.wheatlandins.com IONE 245 NW Main, Suite 100 • PO Box 26 Phone 541-422-7410 Fax 541-276-7688 400 NE Eldrige Dr. Boardman, OR 97818 541-481-2220 • Temporary Staffing Services • Recruiting • Human Resource Management • Risk Management • Payroll Administration • Worker’s Comp Insurance 1055 S. Hwy 395, Ste 333 • Hermiston, OR (541) 567-9670 • Fax (541) 567-4427 251 NE Eldridge Drive, Boardman, OR (541) 481-2666 • Fax (541) 481-2239 WWW.BARRETTBUSINESS.COM For Details Visit: www.umatillaelectric.com 750 W. Elm St. Hermiston, OR 97838 541-567-6414 Castle Rock Farming LLC • Columbia River Dairy LLC Six Mile Land & Cattle LLC A proud part of Umatilla & Morrow Counties! EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE! www.threemilecanyonfarms.com 75906 Threemile Rd • Boardman OR 97818 HEPPNER 294 N. Main • PO Box 755 Phone 541-676-9113 Fax 541-276-7688 HERMISTON 455 E. Main St. • PO Box 1349 Phone 541-567-8834 Fax 541-276-7688 Offices also located in: • PENDLETON • CONDON • ELGIN • LA GRANDE • ENTERPRISE • ATHENA, WALLOWA • BAKER CITY • Commercial • Farms & Crops • Agriculture • Ranch • Personal • Industrial • Worker's Compensation• Service Organizations • Health, Life & Financial Services If you would like to help sponsor the Boardman Chamber page, published on the 2 nd Wednesday of every month, call Audra Workman at 541-564-4538 SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY