It's been a busy day for some clean up crews across the country. This week saw two accidents from the two most significant ways to transport petroleum: pipeline and rail.
First, Shell shut a pipeline in Louisiana after a leak was observed near a pumping station. Second, a train carrying crude oil detailed in western Minnesota on Wednesday. 94 cars were headed towards Chicago when
the train derailed, causing 14 cars to come off the tracks. Three leaked or spilled crude, and while no one was hurt, 20,000 to 30,000 gallons saturated the ground. One rail car spilled most of its 26,000 gallon load, oozing into the ground during the cold weather.
Pipelines can have minor and occasionally major leaks, as residents of Marshall, Michigan noted back in 2010. While small leaks are possible, they can also be much larger. One of Enbridge's pipelines in Michigan
caused a massive leak, some 877,000 gallons at first calculation. EPA later revised the spill over over one million gallons, likely the largest inland oil spill in the United States.
Having said that, many environmental groups are pushing for the rejection of new oil pipelines. Does it make sense to fight pipelines when they are likely safer to transmit oil with? Government data shows that oil spills have declined over the years, calling to a record low of 53,134 barrels in 2012, down from 116,132 barrels in 1993, the first year data is available for. And so far in 2013, just 1,606 barrels have leaked.
Meanwhile, the rail industry points out it, too, is very safe at shipping oil with 99.997% of all hazmat delivered in 2009 without a release caused by train accident. In fact, rail accidents involving hazardous materials are down 90% since 1980, says the Association of American Railroads.
One thing to consider since both options seem mostly safe is the environmental impact. According to the Association of Oil Pipe Lines, to replace a medium-sized pipeline that transports 150,000 barrels a day would require operating more than 750 trucks or a 75-car train every day. The AOPL also cites safety, saying "pipelines are extremely safe. From 2006-2008, there were only 0.7 incidents per thousand miles, a decrease of 63% from 1999-2001."
Either way you look at it, both rail and pipeline are generally quite safe, but just like drivers who are safe, accidents can always happen. What form of moving crude oil do you think is safest?