A divided oil train response in Albany

Scott Waldman

ALBANY—Mayor Kathy Sheehan of Albany and Albany County executive Dan McCoy said they were working together on a major plan that would address the effects that the transportation of billions of gallons of crude by train have had on the region. Instead, they released dueling reports within 24 hours of each other, with the city largely supporting the Cuomo administration's response to the recent proliferation of oil trains and the county more critical of the state's actions.

The county essentially called on the Cuomo administration to halt more oil trains, and to aggressively study the potential environmental effects of a crude heating facility at the Port of Albany. (The administration recently reversed an earlier position and will now require a full environmental review of a heating facility.)

The city report repeatedly thanked the administration for its current efforts, called on federal officials to do more and suggested oil train operators pay for more community initiatives such as sound barriers and public gardens.

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