Heidi Heitkamp

If we are going to continue what we think is this energy renaissance that has been so critical and so important to America's future, we need to figure out safety of the transport of this material.

You would have to sacrifice property.

I think that has raised questions not only in our State but across the country.

What happens if they do not want to get too close to that car?

They are experiencing a huge growth in employment and activity, and the roads are pitiful.

But we constantly have members from the Administration come in and talk about the needs and talk about under-serving, and acknowledge the problems.

That is one mile of road in North Dakota these days.

A lot of times, this kind of infrastructure doesn't get a lot of attention until you are at the end of the line and our road isn't plowed and your kids can't get to school.

I just want to make the point, and I don't mean to point fingers, but I was talking to the chairman up at Spirit Lake.

Investing in transportation is investing in economic development for Indian Country.

This is an Administration that is satisfied with the numbers that are going into Indian health, satisfied with the numbers that are going into transportation, satisfied with the numbers that are going into Indian housing, because there…

We need the Federal Government to step up and to make a commitment, particularly in Indian Country.

And it would be very much appreciated to have clear and concise standards, so that we know when we are applying for those priority dollars that we have an opportunity to be successful.

Everyone should want safety to be a top priority.

So we're building consensus on how we're going to test this or what the standards are going to be, Ms. Quarterman?

I'm committed to making sure that's the case.

Right after the Casselton derailment, I spoke with Senators Warner and Blunt to request that this committee hold a comprehensive hearing to examine rail safety.

DOT should set that example by leading the way.

Our country is in the midst of an energy revolution, and North Dakota is at the heart of it.

So we just want to make sure that we're laying down the understanding that these classifications are relevant and important and must be met.

I think technology is such that you could in fact inspect that track every time a train went over the track.

I think there was a lack of engagement. In fact, Senator Hoeven along with Senator Landrieu, sent a letter in December of 2012 asking where that collaboration was.

We have to make the transportation of this material as safe as what is humanly possible on the rails. I don't think there's any doubt about it.

I'm grateful to have Secretary Foxx at the helm, whom I believe is up to the task.

There's got to be a collaborative way.