Tragedy, Disaster, Liability: the risks are all on us

A BNSF Railway train carrying crude oil collided with a semi-truck carrying flour on Sunday, June 7, 2015

'Tragedy averted': Oil train, semi collision renews talk of rail safety

By Emily Buss / InForum     Jun 9, 2015

ST. PAUL PARK, Minn. - Gov. Mark Dayton visited the site of an oil train-truck wreck Tuesday to press his case for more Minnesota rail safety funding.

A collision between a BNSF Railway Co. crude oil train and a semi-truck in St. Paul Park Sunday reignited calls for more rail safety spending. Dayton and Lt. Gov. Tina Smith visited the crash site Tuesday and said the wreck underscored the need to prevent such incidents before they happen, or before they get worse...... more here

Drone footage of Ukrainian oil depot blaze shows scale of disaster (VIDEO)

(why we don't want oil terminals in populated areas!)

A massive fire has been raging at a Ukrainian oil depot on the outskirts of Kiev. It has triggered a series of explosions that reportedly killed up to four people. The Ukrainian authorities have confirmed three firefighters were among the fatalities. There are fears the toxic fumes could now threaten locals in Kiev.

Officials: Companies should be liable for crude oil accidents

By Kyle Hughes, NYSNYS News   June 9, 2015   video at site

ALBANY, NY  >> Legislators called for passage Tuesday of a new law to require companies to shoulder the entire cost of accidents involving the transport and storage of crude oil in New York.

Sponsors said the Petroleum Storage Surety bill would guarantee that crude oil storage facilities at the Port of Albany and other locations would have enough financial means “to prevent taxpayers from being responsible in instances of inadvertent crude oil shipment accidents.”

Business could meet the coverage requirement by “indicating evidence of insurance, a letter of credit, or a bond from a corporate surety licensed to do business in New York State.” ....   more here