New state rule focuses on crude notifications

OLYMPIA— A newly adopted state rule requires facilities that receive crude oil to notify the Washington Department of Ecology in advance. Also, the rule requires crude oil pipeline operators in the state to submit biannual information about shipment volumes and origin.

The rule allows the state to share information about crude oil shipments with emergency agencies via an advanced notification system. Ecology will publish aggregated public disclosure reports on a quarterly basis that summarize oil movements in the state.

The rule affects four crude-by-rail facilities in the state and two crude oil pipelines. New facilities and pipelines will also be regulated.

In a news release, Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee said the rule will ensure emergency responders know when oil trains are coming.

“In the wake of recent oil train disasters, Washington is moving quickly to improve public safety and protect our natural resources,” he said.

The new rule goes into effect Oct. 1. The first quarterly report will be published in January 2017.

No state reporting requirements existed prior to the rule. In 2014, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued an emergency order to railroad carriers moving unit trains carrying more than 1 million gallons of Bakken crude oil to provide information to state emergency response commissions.

Ecology held four public meetings on the new rule during a 65-day public comment period. More than 1,000 public comments were factored into the rule development.