Transporting oil by rail has come under scrutiny after the recent explosions in Virginia and
Ontario.
In 2013 alone, over 1 million gallons of oil were spilled from rail accidents in the US,
that’s more that the previous four decades, combined.
Critics are concerned that explosions will become more frequent.
So how dangerous are oil trains?
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most recent incidents to find out.
In July 2013, a freight train carrying 1.5 million gallons of oil derails in a town in
Quebec.
An explosive fire destroys half the downtown area and leaves 47 dead.
In November of the same year, a train carrying 2.7 million gallons of crude oil, derails
and explodes in Western Alabama.
Oil spills into surrounding wetlands causing irreparable damage to the fragile habitat.
Just a month later, a train carrying soybeans collides with an oil train in Casselton, North
Dakota.
A chain of large explosions and a huge plume of poisonous smoke prompts the evacuation
of thousands of people.
In April 2014, an oil train travelling at low speed, derails in Southern Virginia.
Despite the tanks puncture-proof design, the incident causes a massive fireball and spills
oil into the James River.
On February 14th, 2015 an oil train derails and catches fire in a town in South-Eastern,
Ontario.
Reports say that both the train and the rails had just recently passed safety inspections.
Less than 48 hours later, a train carrying 3 million gallons of crude oil derails in
Mount Carbon, West Virginia.
Oil spills into the Kanawha river, poisoning the local water supply.
19 tanks cause a series of explosions, sending a plume of toxic smoke that threatens the
safety of local residents.
The incidents reignite support for the Keystone XL pipeline as a safer alternative to rail
transport.
However, environmental advocacy groups note that neither option offers a safe transport
solution and both pose a threat to adjacent communities.
Oil companies have been taking huge risks in the Arctic as well.
To learn about how these gambles sometimes don’t pay off, check out this video from
our friends at Seeker.