New York officials are asking the Environmental Protection Agency to update a contingency plan for dealing with oil spills, in light of the rapid expansion of rail shipments of crude oil from North Dakota.
State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens sent a letter Monday to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. He said under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, EPA is responsible for creating Inland Area Contingency Plans to improve preparedness for oil spills.
Martens said a review of crude oil rail safety ordered by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in January found immediate action was needed by EPA to update contingency plans and develop response plans for environmentally sensitive areas.
An EPA spokeswoman said the EPA is actively working to enhance prevention and response for oil transport safety.
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