Potential for 'mass casualties' from crude by rail- and other links

Potential for 'mass casualties' from crude oil rail cars

By Shaley Sanders   KCBD    May 12, 2015

LUBBOCK COUNTY, TX (KCBD) -  Slower speeds and safer rail cars, that's what federal investigators say is needed to stem the rise of explosive crude oil car accidents.

In 2013, 47 people died in a village in Quebec after a train carrying tankers full of crude oil derailed.

"We have a potential here for mass casualties, with a giant fire event," said Fred Millar, an independent consultant on rail safety who has worked with several cities, counties and railroad unions.....    more here

 

The push to repeal the US oil export ban faces a steep obstacle

Timothy Gardner, Reuters    May 13, 2015

Lawmakers pushing to repeal the 1970s-era ban on U.S. oil exports face a steep obstacle: The Obama administration sees no need to fully remove the restriction while the country is still importing part of its oil supply.....

....While there is plenty of resistance in Congress against lifting the ban, the prospects for a reversal could improve under some of the following conditions:  ....      more here

Obama is not anti-oil

Ken Hocke   5/12/2015    Work Boat

.....Regardless of what anyone else says, Obama hasn’t given up on exploring for oil and gas off the East Coast or in the Arctic. The Obama administration announced this week that it would allow, conditionally, drilling for oil off the coast of Alaska. Meanwhile, two East Coast states, North Carolina and South Carolina, have federal permits that allow them to begin offshore seismic surveys ahead of drilling for oil and gas in the Atlantic.

When you look at his record, which includes overseeing one of the biggest increases in oil production in U.S. history, how can you say he is anti-oil? No, man, he’s pro energy independence, and this latest move makes it even harder to say Obama is anti-oil.....    more here

Oil Industry Challenges Rules Meant to Stop Train Explosions

BILLINGS, Mont. — May 12, 2015   By MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press 

 

The U.S. oil industry has filed a court challenge to new rules aimed at reducing the risk of catastrophic accidents involving crude moved by rail, following a string of fiery derailments in recent years.

The American Petroleum Institute's petition to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., would set aside a requirement for improvements to railroad tank cars that are known to fail during accidents.....    more here

 

(Canadian) Legislation to require tougher insurance for oil shipments by rail

Stephen Karmazyn, Special to Financial Post |     May 13, 2015

 

Experts expect big changes to come to Canadian railways through the federal government’s Safe and Accountable Rail Act, especially relating to crude oil and toxic substances.....

 

.... Bill C-52 calls for amendments to the Canada Transportation Act, specifically to railway insurance liability.....    more here