Oil companies risk Valley lives with rail shipments
There is a growing threat to Fresnans and to anyone living near railroad tracks from the risk that oil companies are taking as they move crude oil from the Bakken fields of North Dakota to refineries including those in Kern County.
They are shipping the oil in tank cars designed for nonflammable liquids, and predictably, when they derail, they crash and burn with explosive force. Twenty-five times more explosive crude was shipped last year than in the previous five years, and the shipping is increasing.
The thick Bakken crude comes up with propane and butane, which are not only left in, but more volatile substances, “diluents,” are added to make the thick substance flow in and out of the tank cars.
Already this year, five trains have derailed and exploded. Two years ago, a derailment and explosions happened in a town, Lac-Megantic, Quebec, and 47 people were burned to death and their buildings destroyed. And this oil isn’t even being shipped to power our cars. It is refined largely for export. Apparently the oil companies have decided that risking our lives is worthwhile.
Ronald J. Martin, Fresno
This story was originally published July 12, 2015 at 6:23 AM with the headline "Oil companies risk Valley lives with rail shipments."