US Proposes New Rules for Crude Oil Rail Trasport

The U.S. Department of Transportation on Wednesday announced a comprehensive set of proposed rules for the safe rail transport of crude oil and certain other flammable materials, including ethanol.

The proposals, which are subject to a 60-day public comment period, include new speed limits and braking controls, enhanced tank car standards, a classification and testing program for gases and liquids.

Regulators also released a report showing that oil from the North Dakota Bakken region "tends to be more volatile and flammable" than other crude oil.

(Reporting by Ros Krasny; Editing by Bill Trott)