The Progger: Oil-Bomb Trains- Time for a National Discussion!

"We need to start a larger discussion on what is appropriate for us to be transporting by rail," said Pat Calvert, Upper James Riverkeeper. “The amount of crude oil being transported by rail has grown exponentially due to the fracking boom. The federal rule making and oversight has not kept up.

Yesterday, April 30 around 2:30 in the afternoon, another 'Oil Bomb' CSX train derailed and exploded into flames, this time spewing its toxic contents into the James River along the banks of Lynchburg, Virginia. The train tankers were carrying the highly toxic, highly explosive Bakken crude oil from 'fracking' wells in the upper mid-west through Virginia to an export facility near the coast.

PHOTO: James River Association/Pat Calvert, Upper James Riverkeeper

Below is a statement from WATERKEEPERS Chesapeake about this explosion and spill on the James River, as our Upper James Riverkeeper Pat Calvert and the people of Lynchburg, VA deal with the consequences of an unregulated, and 'self monitored' industry.

Statement from Waterkeepers Chesapeake and Local Waterkeeper Response to Train Derailment & Toxic Oil Spill on James River

Betsy Nicholas, Executive Director of Waterkeepers Chesapeake issued this statement about the CSX train derailment and crude oil spill and explosion on the James River in Lynchburg, Virginia yesterday:

“Our thoughts are with the residents of Lynchburg and first responders as they deal with this explosion and toxic oil spill. Thankfully no one was injured.

Upper James Riverkeeper Pat Calvert has an office about 150 yards from the crash site. He and Lower James Riverkeeper Jamie Brunkow responded immediately and are now assisted by staff from Waterkeeper Alliance, Shenandoah Riverkeeper and other local Waterkeepers. They will monitor the impact on the river and assist in the clean up and future mitigation of this toxic oil spill.

This train derailment in downtown Lynchburg is a stark reminder that we need a national discussion about the safety and regulatory oversight of the transportation of hazardous materials through populated areas and sensitive environmental areas, especially along rivers that supply drinking water to cities such as Richmond.

We agree with Pat Calvert, Upper James Riverkeeper, who wants to see a larger discussion on what is appropriate for us to be transporting by rail, especially along our rivers. The amount of crude oil being transported by rail has grown exponentially due to the fracking boom. The federal rule making and oversight has not kept up.

In addition to the Lynchburg derailment, yesterday our region experienced a coal train derailment near Bowie, Maryland, and a sink hole that compromised CSX train tracks near Baltimore. These incidents along with the other train explosions involving crude oil in the U.S. and Canada over the past year are more than enough of a wake up call. We need a true assessment of the risks and costs of our reliance on dirty fossil fuels and real protections for our waterways.”

Read James River Association’s statement here: http://jrava.org/what-we-do/Publications/press-release/TrainDerailmentPressStatement.pdf

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Waterkeepers Chesapeake is a coalition of nineteen independent programs working to make the waters of the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays swimmable and fishable. We amplify the voices of each Waterkeeper and mobilize our organizations to fight pollution and champion clean water. The members of Waterkeepers Chesapeake work locally, using grassroots action and advocacy to protect their communities and their waters, as well as regionally to expand each Waterkeeper’s capacity for on the water, citizen-‐based enforcement of environmental laws in the Chesapeake region.