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Hundreds of rail cars filled with North Dakota crude oil pass through Minnesota each day. That reality has state and federal leaders worried about safety.  

Some — including Gov. Mark Dayton — argue oil companies should take steps to reduce the oil's volatility before loading it onto train cars. Proponents say that would minimize the chance for explosions if a train were to derail or crash. Dayton sent a letter to North Dakota's governor this week calling for stricter standards on the quality of oil shipped by rail.  

But industry reps say that simply isn't necessary — that their oil is safe to ship.  

MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Chester Dawson, a senior correspondent at the Wall Street Journal, who has been covering this issue from North Dakota.

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MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with senior correspondent Chester Dawson of the Wall Street Journal about safety issues related to the transportation of North Dakota oil.

Hundreds of rail cars filled with North Dakota crude oil pass through Minnesota each day, and that's got state and federal leaders worried about safety.  Some -- including Gov. Mark Dayton -- argue oil companies should take steps to reduce the oil's volatility before loading it onto trains.  They say that would minimize the chance for explosions if a train were to derail or crash.  Dayton sent a letter to North Dakota's governor this week calling for stricter standards on the quality of oil shipped by rail.  But industry reps say that simply isn't necessary -- that their oil is safe to ship.  MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Chester Dawson, a senior correspondent at the Wall Street Journal who's been covering this issue from North Dakota.

Questions mount about the safety of shipping North Dakota crude oil

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