FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2015
Celia Meyer: 248.885.1878

INDEPENDENT WOMEN'S FORUM STATEMENT ON DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION NEW RAIL REGULATIONS
New rail regulations will derail the economy


WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Obama Administration announced that it will impose tougher safety regulations on rail systems carrying crude oil and ethanol. Rather than implementing smarter energy policies–like the Keystone XL Pipeline–that would relieve our rail systems of increased stress, the Obama administration is only increasing the burden on our energy sector by enforcing more costly regulations.

Jillian Melchior, senior energy fellow at Independent Women’s Forum said:

"The Department of Transportation’s new regulations acknowledge a growing problem: As the American energy sector has boomed, America’s aging railway system has become increasingly stressed.

"The statistics are staggering: Between 2010 and 2014, rail shipments of oil have increased by an incredible 1,770 percent, according to the Energy Information Administration. Railway derailments and explosions pose significant safety hazards, as illustrated by the 2013 disaster in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, which left 47 dead.

"But while it may be appropriate to address railway risks, encouraging investment in American pipeline infrastructure could also help alleviate the problem. Government statistics show that using pipelines to transport energy results in far fewer incidents, injuries and fatalities than using semi-trucks or railroad cars. 

"Unfortunately, the Obama administration has allowed environmental alarmism to stymie this important alternative, most notably as the President killed the Keystone XL pipeline.

"It's time the administration stop their stubborn refusal to allow this pipeline construction so that our country can begin building safer ways to transport fuel."

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Independent Women's Forum works to improve the lives of Americans by increasing the number of women who value free-markets and personal liberty. 

MEDIA CONTACTS
Celia Meyer
Communictions Associate
248.885.1878 | [email protected]