Oil Trains and the Threat to Our Communities and Environment

On July 6, 2013, a runaway train carrying crude oil derailed and exploded in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, spilling 1.5 million gallons of oil and killing 47 people. Four years later, oil trains still move through communities in Pennsylvania and across the country, carrying flammable crude. These trains pose a constant threat of spills and explosions, and accidents happen more often than most people realize.

Residents living near rail lines often don’t know what these trains are carrying or what to do if disaster strikes. To protect communities and the environment, we need stronger rail safety regulations, improved emergency response planning, and a rapid transition away from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources.