The Oil Transportation Safety Act passed the state House this week. Senate Bill 5057 requires oil transporters to give advance notices to local emergency responders so they can better prepare for the possibility of oil spills, tanker derailment, or fire.
To fund the increased regulations, a 1.5% fee will be imposed on railroad revenue from intrastate operations.
Not everyone is happy about the bill and the fee though, including farmers. The Columbia Basin Herald explains why.