The Importance of Local Knowledge When Preparing an Oil Spill Response Plan

Comprehensive Oil Spill Response Plans (OSRPs) have been required for many years for containers with a capacity of 42,000 gallons or more. The goal of these comprehensive OSRPs was to detail specific response requirements in the event of a spill and ensure the transporter had plans and training in place to respond. Since a typical train tanker car only carries about 30,000 gallons, comprehensive OSRPs rarely applied to the rail industry until now.

PHMSA regulations (40 CFR 130.31) currently require basic OSRPs for containers carrying more than 3,500 gallons of crude oil. The new regulations (40 CFR 130.103 et seq) will require comprehensive plans for many trains where only basic plans were previously needed.

While some routes and railroads may optionally comply with state and local regulations under the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act, many short line railways must be knowledgeable about local regulations that may affect their planning efforts. 

Learn more on the Antea Group blog.

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Antea Group is an international engineering and environmental consulting firm specializing in full-service solutions in the fields of environment, infrastructure, urban planning and water. By combining strategic thinking and multidisciplinary perspectives with technical expertise and pragmatic action, we do more than effectively solve client challenges; we deliver sustainable results for a better future. With more than 3,000 employees in over 100 offices around the world, we serve clients ranging from global energy companies and manufacturers to national governments and local municipalities. Learn more at http://us.anteagroup.com.