North America’s booming oil production may have safety consequences for us here in northeast Indiana.
In 2008, producers shipped fewer than 10,000 rail cars of crude oil to the eastern U.S. By 2013, the total exceeded 400,000, according to industry figures.
This dramatic increase is resulting in more oil train accidents.
In 2013 and 2014 there were 10 accidents (five each year), compared with none in 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Seared in our memory are the horrifying images of the oil train disaster in eastern Quebec that killed 47 people in July 2013.
This past April, a CSX train carrying 105 crude oil tank cars derailed and caught fire in Lynchburg, Virginia. Emergency crews evacuated 350 people from their homes, and up to 30,000 gallons of oil spilled into a nearby river.
Closer to home, in March 2012 a freight train derailed near Ligonier and caught fire. It was hauling hazardous substances and authorities evacuated a half-mile area as a precaution.
According to wane.com, 13 to 24 Norfolk Southern trains carry a million gallons or more of crude oil every week through Noble and DeKalb counties. Whitley and Allen Counties have up to four oil trains carrying a million gallons or more every week.
Leaders with CSX told wane.com that 20 to 35 trains carrying a million gallons or more of North Dakota crude oil travel on its Garrett line every week.
Safety advocates say lower speed limits and sturdier railroad cars will cut the risks of hauling crude oil.
According to agweb.com, powered by Farm Journal, regulators estimate that slowing trains to 40 mph from 50 can reduce the severity of an accident by 36 percent.
However, the railroads are fighting safety proposals, warning regulators that cutting speeds to 40 miles would delay other trains carrying cargo such as furniture, grain and electronics.
Some safety advocates say speed limits need to be reduced even more. Tank cars ruptured in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia and Colorado accidents even when trains were traveling at slower speeds, they said in written comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
Government officials are reviewing comments. Final rules may be issued this year or in early 2015.
Many environmental groups believe U.S. regulations will fall short of providing sufficient safeguards.
With the homes of thousands of area residents close to trains carrying crude oil and other hazardous substances, we are well aware of the fact that the lives saved by slower speeds and stronger rail cars could be our own.
We urge our delegation in Washington to speak up for us.