The Federal Rail Safety Act (administered by FRA) governs railroad safety on a national level and mostly pre-empts state or local governance. However, CPUC would claim that they have jurisdiction based on a unique local safety hazard. After the Canterra loop incident, CPUC attempted to mandate requirements for crew traning, accident reporting, defect detector spacing, rail fasteners, etc. and cited 33 examples where grade, curvature and / or proximity to sensitive areas such as watershed justified exceeding federal requirements. The litigation (cost to taxpayers) lasted for years.