Washington bill clarifies regs of short lines hauling cooking oils

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee recently signed a bill that addresses regulations affecting short lines that transport agricultural and food-grade oils.

House Bill 1136 separates emergency planning requirements for short lines hauling cooking oil, vegetable oil, canola oil and small quantities of other low-volatile oils from directives that apply to Bakken crude and other petroleum-based oils.

The bill exempts Class IIIs that do not haul crude oil or refined petroleum products from certain drill performance and equipment contracting requirements associated with oil-spill emergency response plans, according to a press release issued by a coalition of Washington state short lines.

"Two years ago, the Legislature passed comprehensive oil train regulations. Unfortunately, food grade and mineral oils were inadvertently included in the regulations," said State Rep. Mary Dye, who introduced House Bill 1136. "This could hurt the people who make their living on agricultural products shipped by rail.”

The new law will go into effect July 23.