#ICYMI: Wolf issues oil train safety report

Gov. Tom Wolf's administration recently released a report featuring 27 recommendations to improve safety on Pennsylvania rail routes carrying Bakken crude oil. The report was prepared by Dr. Allan Zarembski, an expert on railroad engineering and safety from the University of Delaware. The report’s recommendations address what railroad companies and the commonwealth can do to reduce the risk of a crude-by-rail incident. 

While the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration is the only body with regulatory authority over railroads, Gov. Wolf has been vocal about the need to address crude-by-rail safety concerns. The administration’s state-level leadership on this issue is not surprising given that every week, 60 to 70 crude oil trains pass through Pennsylvania destined for refineries in Philadelphia and other locations in the region. About 705,000 Philadelphia-area residents live within a half-mile potential evacuation zone around railroad routes used to ship crude oil.

Photo: NBC10 Screenshot

What’s more, Philadelphians have had two close calls in recent history with train derailments. 

Earlier this year, a partial oil train derailment occurred in south Philadelphia, shutting down traffic along I-95. In January 2014, a train carrying Bakken crude derailed on a railroad bridge that crosses the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia. Fortunately, there were no injuries and no immediate environmental impacts. 

However, as Philadelphia contemplates its own energy future, it's important that we discuss the potential safety implications of routing crude oil trains through on our densely populated urban area. 

Katie Bartolotta is southeastern Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Philadelphia. She tweets @KatieBartolotta.