Quote:
Originally Posted by merrylander
What I am trying to get through some thick heads around here is that the only way ND oil can get to refineries is by rail, in American trains that part way have to pass through Canada.
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Also from Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan in Canadian trains, Rob. Don't let Canada off the hook.
The problem with rail is the cars. The same unsafe cars are used in the US (DOT-111) and Canada (CTC-111A). In fact, on a percentage basis, the Canadian fleet has more of these in service than the US does, around 80% to 70%. Both countries' governments know that these are unsafe - they have for decades - and have suggested improved standards but pressure from the rail companies, who simply don't want to spend the money, has blocked action.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpXfQMFR_Qs
Of course, trains aren't the only way to move this stuff. There are pipelines too. Safe, right? Not so much. Over the past 10 years, an average of 4.1 million gallons have been spilled each year. That's 41 million gallons every decade. Increases in the number of miles of pipeline, as proposed for the Keystone XL and other North American pipelines, will only increase the number of accidents and the number of gallons spilled.
http://www.factcheck.org/2014/03/pipeline-primer/
When will we decide that we've "hit bottom" with our oil addiction?
John