RESOLUTION NO.

____
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE PASSAGE OF THE CRUDE-BY-RAIL SAFETY
ACT OF 2015
WHEREAS, the City of Spokane is committed to the protection of its citizens, as
well as the natural resources on which the City depends, rail infrastructure in Eastern
Washington and North Idaho runs adjacent to land resources; its sole source of drinking
water at the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer; and its marine and aquatic
resources including the Spokane River, Little Spokane River, and the other creeks,
lakes, rivers, tributaries, and marine resources near and adjacent to Spokane; and
WHEREAS, rail transportation through the Spokane region is focused on an
elevated track through the center of the City, the City Council is concerned about the
potential impacts on public safety and economic disruption from a possible derailment;
and
WHEREAS, Washington Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray have
introduced new Federal oil train safety legislation called The Crude-By-Rail Safety Act of
2015; and
WHEREAS, The Crude-By-Rail Safety Act of 2015 would require the Pipeline
and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to draft new regulations to mitigate the
volatility of gases in crude oil shipped via rail tank cars; and
WHEREAS, The Crude-By-Rail Safety Act of 2015 would immediately prohibit the
use of all DOT-111 tank cars as well unjacketed CPC-1232 tank cars transporting crude
oil; and
WHEREAS, The Crude-By-Rail Safety Act of 2015 would require railroads to
prepare comprehensive oil spill response plans for accidents and spills; and
WHEREAS, The Crude-By-Rail Safety Act of 2015 would require railroads and
shippers to disclose crude-by-rail movements to State Emergency Response
Organizations and Local Emergency Management Organizations along hazardous
material rail routes;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Spokane City Council supports
the passage of The Crude-By-Rail Safety Act of 2015
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The Crude-By-Rail Safety Act of 2015 is
added to the City of Spokanes Federal Legislative Agenda.

ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON ________________________________

________________________________
City Clerk
Approved as to form:
__________________________
Assistant City Attorney