SEATTLE — Citing new risks as more crude oil moves by train through Washington, Gov. Jay Inslee has directed state agencies to assess the safety of oil transport in the state.
The governor on Thursday issued a directive to several state agencies to study the risk of accidents along rail lines, assess the relative risk of Bakken crude oil and begin developing oil spill response plans for affected counties.
Several projects would ship crude oil by train from North Dakota’s Bakken region to proposed terminals in Vancouver, Grays Harbor and other areas.
Inslee says the changing sources of crude oil bring new risks to communities along rail lines, and to the Columbia River, Grays Harbor and Puget Sound waters.
He says the state can do more to protect residents.
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