AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Transportation has no intention of trying to slow the movement of oil-filled tankers from moving across the state en route to a refinery in Canada.

Spokesman Ted Talbot said Monday that it doesn’t regulate what trains haul, or their frequency of trips, trains’ destinations or other matters dealing with interstate commerce.

About 40 people remained missing after a Maine-bound train’s 72 oil-filled tanker came loose early Saturday and careened into a town in Quebec, causing explosions and a massive fire 10 miles north of the border.

About 30 buildings were incinerated.

Maine environmental officials are monitoring the runaway train derailment in eastern Quebec but do not expect the oil spill and fires to affect the state’s air or water.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.