A few weeks ago I wrote a diary about Enbridge Line 61, an expansion of an existing pipeline that Enbridge would like to run Tar Sands dilbit through. This pipeline runs right through Wisconsin, and is being pushed through stealthily with few public hearings and much secrecy.
Wisconsin: A Pipeline Runs Through It
Today, several outlets have been publishing information about the rail lines that carry crude oil throughout the country. desmogblog has a story today with details that the US Department of Transportation and the rail industry have tried to keep from public scrutiny, saving the information only for those who "need to know."
Anyone paying attention understands that it isn't just pipelines and pipeline accidents that the citizenry need to fear: transporting oil is dangerous no matter how it is done. An op-ed from the LA Times this past May outlines several fiery rail accidents involving oil transport. The New York Times did a story in January, and points out that crude oil is shipped in rail cars that are designed for contents that don't burn, rather than safer tankers.
desmogblog's article is worth reading in its entirety. It focuses on Wisconsin, but of course the rail lines extend across the country. By scrolling to the bottom of the article, you can see the different spec sheets in .pdf form provided by the different rail companies outlining the emergency response information related to crude oil shipments.
Canadian Pacific pdf.
Union Pacific pdf.
BNSF pdf.
explosivecrudebyrail.org has an interactive map: put in an address and see if you're in a blast zone!
This diary is more in the spirit of informing folks of some documents that have been recently released to the public that can serve as motivation to GET ACTIVE and work to halt the destructive petroleum industry. It's toxic to extract, it's toxic to transport and it's toxic to use.
There are better alternatives out there and we need to fight the industry and its bought-and-paid-for government and judicial puppets to put an end to the despoiling of our world.