Oil Transport and Water Safety
How does oil move in the United States? Do you know?
A lot of it moves through pipelines. They cross the country from north to south and east to west, with millions of gallons of crude and processed petroleum flowing through them 24/7/365.
A lot of it moves, too, by train, in unit oil trains, 100 cars long, all full of crude oil traveling through the country, including through our major metropolitan areas. Each unit train carries over 1 million gallons of oil
Pipeline leaks and train derailments are always a risk, and where these transport methods are near waterways and lakes, the danger of contamination is always present.
Oil pipelines generally pass through rural areas, but sometimes cross over or under major rivers, if where they go requires it. But, oil trans commonly travel along the rivers, including the full length of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers among others. The freight lines often follow rivers, which have always been major transport routes. Part of that is because getting rights-of-way along rivers is somewhat easier that elsewhere.
Both methods create risks to our water. Measuring those risks, however, can be difficult.
The oil moves from where it is produced to where it is processed. Where it is produced is usually nowhere near heavily-populated areas. Where it is processed or refined, however, is often near centers of industry - our major cities. The oil will move, because we need refined petroleum products everywhere, but especially in metro areas.
Whenever oil moves, there are risks. But, the oil will move, one way or another. Will it be by rail or through pipelines? That question is currently a major one. I live in St. Paul, MN. Near me is an enormous rail yard that I drive past several times a month. It's always full of unit oil trains. They're coming there from North Dakota and other Northern production areas, carrying a million gallons of crude on each train. From St. Paul, they travel South, along the Mississippi river, all the way to refineries on the Gulf of Mexico. They travel almost constantly along that route. There are also pipelines under the Twin Cities, transporting crude oil and other petroleum products. I can't see them, but I can look at maps showing where they are. Lots of them, actually.
When will the next derailment occur? Where? When and where will a pipeline leak? The oil will move, regardless. Pipelines? Trains? It will move. Which method is safer? I don't know. Which transport method has the lower risk to our rivers and water supplies? I don't know.
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