by Jim Monk
FARGO (KFGO-AM) - Former North Dakota Gov. George Sinner says a national discussion needs to be held about the safety of transporting North Dakota oil by rail.
Sinner's proposal comes one week after a tanker derailment and fire set off a series of massive explosions near Casselton.
Sinner, a Casselton native, tells KFGO News that the current system poses a "ridiculous threat" to communities where trains move oil across the country. He says lowering speed limits and eliminating older, less-reliable tankers would have an immediate impact on public safety.
Sinner says federal regulators, state lawmakers, railroads and community leaders across the country need to be involved in the process.