Date : Fri, 6 Mar 2015 16:30:53 -0500
For Immediate Release
March 6, 2015
Contact Jeff Tittel 609-558-9100
Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club released the following statement on the Galena, Illinois Bakken oil train derailment and fire:
"Yesterday, another train derailment carrying crude oil occurred this time in Galena, Illinois. The eight-rail crash ignited flames have been reported to be seen for miles. This is a disaster, a disaster that could have been avoided. Tomorrow, the New Jersey Sierra Club will participate in a Rally to Ban Unsafe Oil Trains. What is happening around North America with these trains carrying this highly explosive crude oil is a disaster waiting to happen. What's happened in Illinois, Virginia, West Virginia and Quebec is an alarm bell going off that these trains are unsafe at any speed and too dangerous to be on our rails. If one of those derailments happened in New Jersey in places like Teaneck, Linden or Newark it could be a catastrophic loss of life. That's why the Sierra Club is suing the Department Of Transportation (DOT) for failure to remove DOT-11s rail cars, which are known to be unsafe. These cars are dangerous."
"There are hundreds of trains coming through New Jersey every year. Each train is carrying dozens and dozens of Bakken oil rail cars. They are cutting through some of the most densely populated areas not only our state, but in our country. It's in every part of New Jersey. Not only do trains go through areas like Linden, but also Central, and South Jersey like the ones going to the Paulsboro Refinery. Many of these rail lines themselves are well over 100 years old with safety problems on their own. Two years ago, a derailment occurred in Paulsboro spilling vinyl chloride. If it had it been Bakken crude, the spill could have been a calamity. We don't have enough enforcement or inspectors for the oil trains at the federal or state level. We can't even find out from the Christie Administration where these trains are going and there is no notice to the towns when the shipments are coming through."
"One quart of oil contaminates one million gallons of water and one rail car carries 34,500 gallons of oil. Therefore one rail car can pollute 138 billion gallons of water. The Oradell Reservoir alone contains 5.7 billion gallons water. If a spill were to occur, it would completely containment the reservoir. This would wipe out the water supply for weeks, or months until it's cleaned up. That means one train car could wipe out all of Bergen County's water supply."
"These devastating incidents raise many concerns regarding the transportation of the dangerous Bakken crude whether by rail, barge, or pipeline through New Jersey. What happened in Illinois could happen here with far worse consequences. North Dakota Bakken Shale oil is one of the most explosive types of oil in the world. It is dangerous because volatile compounds are left in, instead of taken out because it would cost more to remove. They could build facilities to remove this compound but it's cheaper to transport them through our communities. Gasoline cannot be moved by rail, the same way Bakken is yet Bakken is more volatile and flammable. Whether it is traveling by rail, barge or pipeline, it is a disaster waiting to happen endangering our families, property and environment."
"The proposed Pilgrim Pipeline has the same issues including leaks and explosions especially carrying Bakken Crude. The Pilgrim Pipeline would cross through the Ramapo and the Highlands threatening drinking water for three million people. Bakken crude however it is transported is a ticking time bomb. We should keep Bakken crude where it belongs, in the ground. Instead we should be investing in renewable energy that will not damage our environment, put the community at risk, and will help to combat climate change," said Jeff Tittel. "We need to ban these pipe bombs on wheels now."
The Coalition to Ban Unsafe Oil Trains Press Conference and Rally will take place:
WHEN: Saturday March 7, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Abram Demaree Farm at corner of Schraalenburgh Road & Old Hook Road, Closter, NJ