Legal petition seeks NY ban on outdated rail tankers carrying volatile North Dakota crude oil

A coalition of environmental groups and city residents has filed a legal petition seeking a ban on older model rail tanker cars carrying volatile crude oil from North Dakota to the Port of Albany.

The petition filed Tuesday by a group represented by Earthjustice asks Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens to issue an order prohibiting receipt of crude in DOT-111 tank cars at the port. The petition cites danger to city residents.

The federal Department of Transportation has proposed gradually phasing out these cars, which are prone to rupture on impact and have been involved in a series of catastrophic explosions, fires and spills. Earthjustice has a legal case against the government for an emergency ban on the old cars.

Newer cars have thicker walls and other safeguards.