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The Trump administration miscalculated benefit of better brakes on trains carrying explosive fuels

(KGW-TV | The Associated Press) In this June 3, 2016, file image, from video provided by KGW-TV, smoke billows from a Union Pacific train that derailed near Mosier, Ore., in the scenic Columbia River Gorge. The Trump administration vastly understated the potential benefits of installing more advanced brakes on trains that haul explosive fuels when it cancelled a requirement for railroads to begin using the equipment. A government analysis used by the administration to justify the cancellation omitted up to $117 million in potential reduced damages from using electronic brakes. Department of Transportation officials acknowledged the error after it was discovered by The Associated Press during a review of federal documents but said it would not have changed their decision.

(KGW-TV | The Associated Press) In this June 3, 2016, file image, from video provided by KGW-TV, smoke billows from a Union Pacific train that derailed near Mosier, Ore., in the scenic Columbia River Gorge. The Trump administration vastly understated the potential benefits of installing more advanced brakes on trains that haul explosive fuels when it cancelled a requirement for railroads to begin using the equipment. A government analysis used by the administration to justify the cancellation omitted up to $117 million in potential reduced damages from using electronic brakes. Department of Transportation officials acknowledged the error after it was discovered by The Associated Press during a review of federal documents but said it would not have changed their decision.