again, dakota resource council, don morrison. >> going right next to people's houses and businesses, it's dangerous. and they got to be careful. >> reporter: with just 55 inspectors nationwide, the d.o.t.'s hazardous materials regulator has launched routine and surprise inspections to ensure oil is being properly tested for foreman ability. as a result, this february, the agency announced fines against three oil companies. marathon, hess, whiting. allegedly assigning their oil to the wrong safety category. the d.o.t. later dropped fines against whiting. but it's still pursuing enforcement actions against hess and marathon. >> what is it that is distinct about this kind of oil that's coming out of the ground? >> we don't think the balken crude oil is that distinct from any other high-quality light sweet crude oil, wti, louisiana sweet. >> reporter: to prove that point, his organization will announce the findings of its own flammability tests. the industry will have enacted tests to make crude transits safer, like slower train speeds and enhanced braking systems. north dakota's republi