Category Archives: Energy

USDOT proposes new regulations for transportation of crude oil

This past week, United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (pdf) and an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (pdf) that seeks to improve the safe transportation of large quantities of flammable materials by rail. The … Continue reading

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Public information concerns over oil shipments

In the wake of recent railway accidents involving crude oil shipments, the United States Department of Transportation issued an emergency order requiring railroad companies to notify state officials of specific route details and oil volume on trains shipping one million … Continue reading

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EPA Proposes 30% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030

The EPA proposed new regulations this week that aim to lower carbon dioxide emissions from existing coal-fired power plants by 2030. Based on projections from 2005, the EPA seeks to reduce the amount of CO2 produced from these plants by … Continue reading

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EPA seeking comments on proposal to require disclosure of fracking fluids

The EPA is seeking comments on a proposal that would require or incentivize the voluntary disclosure of fluids used in hydraulic fracturing or “fracking.” Non-disclosure of fracking fluids has been a hot topic in recent years and people still debate … Continue reading

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DOT issues new guidelines for shipping crude oil by rail

In response to recent crude oil tank car derailments in North America, the US Department of Transportation (DOT), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued new actions this week. The DOT issued … Continue reading

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Railway accidents involving crude oil raise alarms

The Bakken area is one of the largest crude oil producing regions in the United States. The recent surge of production in the Bakken region is due to the increased use of hydraulic fracturing to access oil and gas from … Continue reading

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