DES MOINES, Iowa – A legal challenge has been mounted against the U.S. Department of Transportation, claiming proposed new agency rules don’t do enough to protect Iowans and others across the country who live along oil train routes. The environmental lawfirm Earthjustice is representing the groups that filed the administrative appeal.

Attorney Kristen Boyles says a problem is the recently-announced standards for tank cars have a phase-in time which the organizations believe extends too far into the future. “This allows inadequate, explosive oil trains to stay on the rails for another 10 years,” says Boyles. “That’s a huge problem for anybody who lives anywhere near a railroad, or has a town where rail lines go through.”

Boyles says another reason for the challenge is the organizations aren’t convinced the proposed rules do enough to ensure emergency responders know when trains are coming through their area – or what’s on them. “We believe there should be more information, not less, so people can be prepared for what looks like the inevitability of more explosions and oil spills,” she says.

Rail companies have said releasing more route and cargo details could compromise national security, and let competitors know too much about their business. As of this spring, it’s estimated between 20 and 30 oil trains cross Iowa state each week, each carrying at least one million gallons of volatile crude oil.

(Iowa News Service)

Two people were arrested overnight Wednesday into early this (Thursday) morning, in Red Oak. Authorities say 46-year old Darrell Lee Walter, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 9:30-p.m., on a Mills County warrant for Harassment in the 1st degree, and 24-year old Jeffrey Davis Matthews, of Corning, was arrested with assistance from Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies at around 4-a.m., for Operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent. Bonds for both men were set at $2,000 each.

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, authorized Mayor Dave Jones to enter into a Marketing Agreement with Utility Service Partners, Inc., for a Service Line Warranty Program. City Administrator John Lund checked into the program since it was introduced to the Council on May 6th. Lund has contacted three other communities in Iowa to get their opinion on the value of the service USP provides. He found no complaints have been received from the citizens of those communities, but two of the three Public Works officials contacted strongly suggested an informational media campaign be conducted to make the public aware of the optional warranty service.

Jones said the City Council has stipulated the company should use local contractors for any repairs or warrant work, as much as possible. USP he says, have strict requirements of their own when it comes to contractors contacting the customer and performing the work in a timely manner.

The warranty program, which is completely optional and voluntary, is endorsed by the City, gives residents an affordable utility line repair solution, while at the same time educating homeowners about their water/sewer line responsibilities. Jones said newer houses aren’t as likely to be at risk for water or sewer line failure, but houses that are more than 40-years old, are at risk, and the warranty program he says, would be greatly beneficial to those property owners.

The company will be sending out letters to residents of Atlantic on stationary with the City logo, explaining the program, which would cost a property owner $7.75 per month for the sewer line leading up to the home, $6.75 per month for the water line leading to the home, and $6.99 per month for in-home plumbing coverage. A property owner may elect to pay for all three warranties, or they can choose from any of the three warranties for service and repairs.

The agreement would pay the City an annual royalty of 50-cents per month, per paid warranty contract with residential customers.