An executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Wednesday, April 10, tasks the Federal Department of Transportation with creating a new rule in a little more than three months’ time that permits super-cooled liquid natural gas (LNG) to be transported by rail.
“The Secretary of Transportation shall propose for notice and comment a rule, no later than 100 days after the date of this order, that would treat LNG the same as other cryogenic liquids and permit LNG to be transported in approved rail tank cars,” the order states. “The Secretary shall finalize such rulemaking no later than 13 months after the date of this order.”
Natural gas trade and rail carrier groups have lobbied for years for the ability to supply LNG to the northeastern U.S. via rail. Current Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) safety rules do not allow the transport of LNG in rail tanker cars.
It is transported by truck and pipelines with one exception — Alaska Railroad was given a special authorization in 2015 to transport LNG by rail in portable containers transported on flatcars, Bloomberg News reports.
Read a Bloomberg News article on the order.
Read the executive order.
Related News
- Led by SMART-TD, Kansas Makes Railroad History
- Andrew Fudge Wins SMART-TD Endorsement in Oregon House Race
- Federal Court Upholds 2-PC
- Registration for Baltimore RTS Closes on Monday!
- Untimely Passing Leaves Conductor’s Family in a Difficult Financial Situation
- SMART-TD Wins Landmark BNSF Arbitration Protecting Members’ Right to Rest
- Critical Bus Operator Safety Legislation Results from Years of Advocacy
- Maryland Legislature Finishes the Job on 2-PC
- CLARIFICATION: How to Apply for Disaster Relief Following the Washington State Wildfires
- The fearmongering, speculation, and rhetoric stop now