Cities from Oakland, California, to South Portland, Maine, have also passed local ordinances to block crude oil or coal terminal projects. "Deadly oil trains were not on the table when pre-emption was dreamed up." But Eddie Scher, a spokesman with advocacy group Stand, said Spokane can and should make the case for authority over oil trains. Spokane, which sees up to 19 oil trains a week, is the latest community attempting to assert its local authority in the fight over fossil fuels. SEATTLE (AP) " As crude oil trains began rolling through its downtown a few years ago, Spokane was among the first cities to pass a resolution calling for stronger federal safety regulations.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 27, 2016 19:52 UTC