At least one environmental organization is calling for an immediate moratorium on crude oil shipments by rail.
That's following a recent analysis that says oil trains could potentially crash almost once a month nationwide.
MTPR's Edward O'Brien reports the group believes the risk to both human life and the environment is too great.
As we told you earlier this week, the federal government predictstrains carrying crude oil or ethanol in the U.S. will derail an average of 10 times annually over the next 20 years.
The Associated Press reports a Department of Transportation risk analysis estimates those accidents could kill hundreds of people and cause billions of dollars in damage. The Portland-based environmental group, Center for Biological Diversity, says the risks these trains present out-strips the benefits. Attorney Jared Margolis says the organization is calling for an immediate moratorium on oil trains.
"It does require emergency action," Margolis said. "It does require more of a consideration for human health and the environment than the economics. We need to focus on protecting people, not on protecting the oil industry."
BNSF, which hauls most of the crude out of the Bakken region says 2014 was the safest on record for the company. It says it's making record capital investments to improve its infrastructure. Company officials declined our request for a taped interview.
