Oil Trains: What is the Threat?

Oil trains have been an important part of our transportation system for decades, but what they carry can also put communities and the environment at risk. Long trains carrying crude oil routinely pass through towns and cities, often without residents realizing the danger. High-profile disasters like the Lac-Mégantic explosion in Quebec show how catastrophic a derailment can be, spilling toxic crude and destroying neighborhoods.

As production and shipping of oil increase, so does the likelihood of accidents and spills, and communities along the rail lines bear the risk. We need stronger regulations, better preparedness, and a transition away from fossil fuels to protect people and waterways. Citizens can demand stricter safety standards for tank cars, transparent route information, and investment in renewable energy to reduce reliance on oil trains. Only by confronting the threat head on can we prevent the next disaster.