Albany County pushing tough new oil train law [View all]

[hrmjustin]

Scott Waldman

ALBANY—Albany County Executive Dan McCoy on Wednesday proposed another tough, local regulation affecting oil trains.

During a press conference at a the Ezra Prentice public housing project, just a feet away from a row of tanker cars, McCoy said county legislators are expected to soon approve a law that would fine and criminally charge oil train officials who don't report spills within 30 minutes. Operators would be charged $1,000 in addition to the $5,000 fine levied on the oil transportation companies by the state for each violation that occurs.

With the odor of crude oil hanging in the air as he spoke at the press conference, McCoy said he wants Albany County to become a national example for how communities can do their part to restrict oil trains, which are regulated by the federal government.

“We're going to set the stage not just for New York, but for the nation,” he said.

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2014/07/8549534/albany-county-pushing-tough-new-oil-train-law