While California has been national leader in many areas of environmental reform, it currently lags behind other states in implementing regulations to deal with in-state oil train incidents. Yet the dangers posed by oil train derailments are significant in California, particularly in light of the high volume of Bakken crude oil shipments in the state, which has been identified as more dangerous to ship than other types of oil. California has increased its movement of crude oil from 45,000 barrels in 2009 to six million barrels in 2013. Moreover, the shipment routes for crude oil run through some of the most densely populated and fragile ecological environments in the state.
To assess the impact on affected communities, the National Resources Defense Council issued a report pinpointing the communities along crude oil train routes that are exposed to substantial risk. According to the analysis, nearly four million people in the Bay Area and Central Valley live within one mile of a rail line used for crude oil shipments. Some of the recommendations to improve safety conditions in these densely populated zones include instituting more rigorous speed limits, rerouting trains in particularly vulnerable areas and retiring older and defective trains that travel this route.
Supporters of these measures are eager to enact reform as California appears to be increasing its crude oil shipment operations. One significant proposal by the Phillips 66 oil company involves using Amtrak rail lines to transport Bakken crude oil through the Bay area. Engineers reviewing the plan have estimated that there is a 28% risk of derailment over the next 30 years in the most densely populated stretches of land covered by this route. Some cities have shown a measured response to the risks posed by such proposals; in Sacramento, for example, a shipping charge was instituted to control oil spills that will cause $11 million in damages in 2015. These measures, however, have not sufficiently addressed prevention of such incidents.
Contact Shane Coons at 949-333-0900 or visit his website at www.ShaneCoonsLaw.com to find out more about his practice.