Many Communities Concerned about Crude-by-Rail

Sacramento-area leaders concerned about crude-rail risks

Uprail communities urge Benicia to address oil train safety hazards

TimesHeraldonline  By Tony Burchyns  Aug 9, 2014

Sacramento-area leaders are voicing concerns about Valero's proposed crude-by-rail plan, accusing Benicia of paying too little attention to potential "very serious" hazards of increased oil train shipments through Placer, Sacramento, Yolo, Solano and Contra Costa counties.

In a draft comment letter on the project, the Sacramento Area Council of Governments last week sharply criticized a Benicia study that found that the crude oil trains rattling through cities and sensitive habitats would pose no "significant hazard" whatsoever.

"We believe that conclusion is fundamentally flawed, disregards the recent events demonstrating the very serious risk to life and property that these shipments pose, and contradicts the conclusions of the federal government, which is mobilizing to respond to these risks," the letter states......continued here

Albany County announces crude oil concern hotline 

wynt.com  July 31, 2014

Albany residents have a new hotline to call if something doesn't smell right to them.
County Executive Dan Mccoy unveiled a 2-1-1 hotline on Wednesday that provides a way for the public to report strong odors at local rail terminals and at the Port Of Albany......


.......“This is a critical first step in addressing the concerns that nearby residents have regarding their exposure to potentially toxic pollutants associated with operations involving crude oil at the Port of Albany,” said Chris Amato of Earthjustice.....
more here 

Canadian crude taking rail through northern Minnesota

Aug 5, 2014   David Schaffer | Star Tribune

.....Unlike the long trains of strictly tank cars passing through the Twin Cities, the Canadian National trains crossing the border bridge over the Rainy River at Rainer, Minn., are collections of tank cars and other freight cars.

“It is very concerning to people around here,” said Koochiching County Sheriff Brian Jespersen, who wants to host a meeting with regional officials this fall to discuss the issue. “Our biggest fear is if a train derails on the bridge and contaminates the water.”...... whole article here