BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A company official says a shipment of crude involved in an explosive train derailment in North Dakota had been treated to reduce its volatility.
Hess Corporation spokesman John Roper said the oil was in compliance with a state law that requires propane, butane and other volatile gases to be stripped out of crude before it can be transported.
The state standard that went into effect last month came in response to a string of fiery train accidents, including a 2013 derailment in Lac-Megantic, Quebec, that killed 47 people.
Despite the treatment of the oil, six cars caught fire in Wednesday’s derailment near Heimdal. The town was evacuated but no one was hurt.
Members of Congress have called for a stricter, national volatility standard for crude moved by rail.