NTSB TO EXAMINE MINOT, NORTH DAKOTA HAZMAT RELEASE AT JULY PUBLIC HEARING

The derailment occurred at approximately 1:39 a.m., when a Canadian Pacific Railway freight train with 2 locomotives and 112 cars derailed 31 freight cars near Minot, North Dakota. Seven of 15 cars that were carrying anhydrous ammonia catastrophically failed, creating a vapor plume about 5 miles long and 2 1/2 miles wide, which affected approximately 15,000 residents near the derailment site and a portion of the city of Minot.

"Having seven tank cars fail catastrophically is unacceptable," said Safety Board Vice Chairman, Carol Carmody, who will chair the hearing. "People living near railroad tracks should not have to fear for their lives or safety," she continued.

Safety issues to be examined at the hearing include the maintenance and inspection of continuously welded rail, federal oversight of the railroad's track maintenance program, vulnerability of tank cars in cold temperatures, and methods of reducing the risks of transporting hazardous chemicals. Subject matter experts will include members from the Federal Railroad Administration, Canadian Pacific Railway, Volpe National Transportation Center, tank car manufacturers, hazardous materials shippers, and the Association of American Railroads.

While only Board staff and invited witnesses will participate in the sessions, attendance for the hearing is open to the public and registration is not necessary. The hearing will be held in the NTSB Board Room and Conference Center, 429 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, D.C. and will convene at 8:30 a.m. both days. General information will be available on the Board's website, http://www.ntsb.gov.
 

Media Contact: Lauren Peduzzi  (202) 314-6100