Board urges changes in oil tanker safety
BILLINGS, Mont. – Tank cars carrying oil or ethanol by rail urgently need to be retrofitted or replaced to make them more fire-resistant after a spate of explosive accidents in recent months revealed the shortcomings of industry-backed safety standards, U.S. officials said Monday.
The National Transportation Safety Board issued a series of recommendations calling for tank cars to be fitted with protective systems better able to withstand fire than the bare steel construction now widely in use. It said a decade-long retrofit timeline that’s been suggested by the tank car industry was too long to wait.
“The longer we wait, the more we expose the public to the problems of these cars that aren’t especially robust,” NTSB Chairman Christopher Hart said.
Defense chief touts U.S. shift to Asia
TEMPE, Ariz. – Secretary of Defense Ash Carter says the Obama administration is opening a new phase of its strategic shift toward the Asia-Pacific region.
Carter said Monday the administration is investing in high-end weapons such as a new long-range stealth bomber, refreshing its defense alliance with Japan and expanding trade partnerships.
Carter made the remarks in a speech at Arizona State University en route to his first trip to Asia as defense secretary.
Associated Press
