The Oklahoma Corporation Commission staff holds its first technical conference on Wednesday as it makes changes to its rules regarding railroads.
Some changes apply to trains blocking a crossing. The Commission wants the ability to conduct a compliance audit should a train block a crossing more than 10 minutes. The audit would explore the frequency of blocked crossings, the pattern and whether the blocked crossing is justified.
Another rule change applies to fences that a landowner requests to have constructed adjacent to rail tracks. The OCC wants the ability to enforce the construction or else hold a railway in contempt if the fence is not constructed within 60 days. It is also proposing a $500 per day fine for violating the rule.
Other changes in the rules apply to abandoned rail crossings and the maintenance of others.
The technical conference will be held at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 301 at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Jim Thorpe Office building.
