Proposed rule deals with rail oil spillsWASHINGTON — Railroads hauling crude oil would be required to develop comprehensive plans for dealing with a significant oil spill, including providing detailed information to state and tribal authorities, under a rule proposed Wednesday by the Department of Transportation.The proposal also includes a new testing method for shippers to determine the volatility of oil shipments.Oil is often transported in trains with as many as 100 tank cars at a time. At least 27 oil trains have derailed in the U.S. and Canada in the last decade, often leading to fiery explosions and extensive environmental damage. Local authorities have complained in the past that they’ve been unable to obtain information or there have been delays in obtaining information from railroads.Last month, a Union Pacific Railroad oil train derailed in the scenic Columbia River Gorge along the Oregon-Washington border. The derailment released 42,000 gallons of crude oil and sparked a massive fire that burned for 14 hours.The Association of American Railroads said in a statement that it is reviewing the 217-page proposal, and that railroads already have response plans in place.The rule would require railroads to position teams that can respond with equipment and manpower within 12 hours to an oil train derailment.

New Castle track, casino plans endHARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has put an end to plans for a gambling facility in Western Pennsylvania.The seven-member board voted unanimously Wednesday to abandon the application for Lawrence Downs Casino and Racing Resort in Mahoning Township outside New Castle.Endeka Entertainment had proposed the state’s only one-mile harness racing track and a full casino. County officials said they expected it to bring as many as 600 jobs.Several board members had expressed concerns about whether the project could be built for $205 million, which Endeka said included the licensing fee and construction costs.Mahoning Township spent $10 million on a water plant and other development for the property. A Pittsburgh newspaper reports that Commission Chairman Vito Yeropoli said the township is struggling to repay the debt.

Comcast: Problem wasn’t countywideKITTANNING — Comcast says reported telephone problems that left some Western Pennsylvania customers saying they were unable to access 911 on their landline phones were limited to one small portion of Armstrong County rather than several counties and affected all service, not just 911 access.Customers in Armstrong and Jefferson counties reported phone issues early Wednesday, and a few Westmoreland County customers said they were unable to call 911 Wednesday morning.Comcast said the issue was resolved by 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.Grove said he knew of no problems in Jefferson and Westmoreland counties.