Derailment after derailment. They just keep happening.
Since early February, there have been numerous derailments in North America carrying crude from North Dakota’s Bakken Shale. These accidents have sparked increased calls from citizens, the rail industry and lawmakers for the federal government to increase safety regulations.
To keep up with these incidents and new safety regulations, PublicSource provides a roundup of stories every Friday.
Big cities nationwide try to prepare for crude oil train disasters
A new survey reveals a “patchwork of preparedness” for potential crude oil train disasters among big cities across the nation, including Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, according to The Associated Press.
Albany County, New York, sues feds and rail company
Albany County officials are suing the U.S. Department of Transportation and a company that moves crude oil through the area in an attempt to improve crude-by-rail safety, according to WRBG CBS 6 Albany.
New Jersey keeping crude oil routing information secret
Unlike Pennsylvania, which released some information on crude oil routes after being pressured by news organizations, New Jersey refuses to release any data, according to The Associated Press.
Oil slump + new pipelines = tank cars idling on short-line tracks
Some of the highly-sought-after crude oil tank cars that only a year ago were hauling North Dakota Bakken crude to East Coast refineries are now parked indefinitely on smaller tracks. These short-line tracks are racking up millions of dollars each month from these unused tank cars, according to Reuters.
Reach Natasha Khan at nkhan@publicsource.org. Follow her on Twitter @khantasha.
