North Dakota governor addresses crude-by-rail safety with BNSF, Trinity

North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple met with BNSF Railway Co. Executive Chairman Matt Rose on Monday to further discuss the need to improve rail safety in the state.

Dalrymple expects the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to act quickly in developing enhanced safety standards for new tank cars and a plan for replacing tank cars in the nation's fleet, he said in a press release.

"It's very clear that we need tank cars with improved safety features for the transportation of Bakken crude oil," he said. "We support new, more stringent safety standards for tank cars, but we also need to address operational practices."

Dalrymple and Rose also discussed operational practices pertaining to trains carrying crude from the Bakken Shale. The governor called for a review of train speeds in populated areas; operational protocols involving trains passing one another through populated areas; and communication systems for improved emergency response between passing trains.

Dalrymple also expects to be briefed by Trinity Industries Inc. officials this week about tank-car manufacturing. In 2012, Trinity purchased a heavy metal fabrication plant in West Fargo, N.D., that formerly was owned by DMI Industries. Trinity employs 120 workers at the plant, which builds metal storage tanks.

The meeting will provide a manufacturer's perspective on the latest safety features in tank-car construction, Dalrymple said.