THERMAL BLANKETS.

SEC. 7305. [49 U.S.C. 20155 note] THERMAL BLANKETS. (a) Requirements.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue such regulations as are necessary to require that each tank car built to meet the DOT-117 specification and each non-jacketed tank car modified to meet the DOT-117R specification be equipped with an insulating blanket with at least ½-inch-thick material that has been approved by the Secretary pursuant to section 179.18(c) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. (b) Savings Clause.—Nothing in this section shall prohibit the Secretary from approving new or alternative technologies or materials as they become available that provide a level of safety at least equivalent to the level of safety provided for under subsection (a).