As the United States ramps up its domestic oil production (the West Virginia train was reported to be carrying Bakken crude from North Dakota), it’s important to be aware of the increased dangers of transporting such dangerous materials and take adequate precautions. Much smaller-scale crashes involving flammable material have wreaked havoc: In 2007, an overturned gasoline tanker truck shot flames down Main Street in Everett, and another tanker truck crash in 2011 on Route 1 in Saugus caused an eight-alarm blaze.
The increased US oil production (and the near-certain veto of the Keystone XL pipeline bill by President Obama) means that even more crude will be traveling by rail. Because of the lack of capacity in US pipelines, the shipment of crude oil by rail, a more risky method for transporting hazardous materials, increased from 9,500 cars in 2008 to more than 600,000 in 2014, according to the Association of American Railroads.
Fortunately, there have been gains in rail safety — but more needs to be done. The US Department of Transportation has proposed tougher safety regulations, including the phasing out of thousands of older tank cars, which are at higher risk. The proposals also require tighter risk assessments of travel routes, reduced operating speeds, enhanced braking systems and other improvements for new and existing cars, and improved communications with state emergency commissions.
At this point, the new proposals are in the hands of the Office of Management and Budget, which reviews all federal regulations before they are enacted. The OMB should move quickly and undertake these important reforms.