Bakken Disaster: A Case Study
As a member of a community where Bakken oil is transported, I am concerned primarily with the prevention of an accident or an act of terror. In regards to the prevention of an accident, I would like to see railroads take great care in planning their risk management. As of 2010, 225,000 barrels a day were transported through North America; which is 75 times the 3,000 barrels a days transported in 2005 (Michigan State University, 2016). Not only, is their more Bakken being transported through North America, but the Federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued an alert stating that Bakken may be more flammable that traditional crude oil (Michigan State University, 2016). Without proper risk management I would be concerned
about an accident causing an explosion in a populated area or a spill contaminating the environment, such as the Virginia incident that spilled 20,000 gallons into drinking water. Currently, I do not have confidence in the railroad or the government to quickly and effectively respond to an accident. In the Virginia incident mentioned above the railroad took more than 24 hours to emplace containment measures to control the spill (Michigan State University, 2016). Furthermore, in Oregon the railroads and state government have yet to codify a response plan and share pertinent information such as the location of emergency equipment between each other (Michigan State University, 2016). The lack of preparation would be disastrous in a worse case scenario that involved terrorism. America’s rail system is vast and as such is difficult to fully secure. There are thousands of miles of open insecure railway and security at railyards is lacking allowing vandals to access rail cars every day (Plant & Young, 2007). A terrorist with a gas cutting torch or other common tools could quickly damage tracks causing the derailment of a train carrying Bakken oil. The lack of security may allow a terrorist to gain entry to a rail yard storing Bakken oil. Once access is gained, explosives could be placed creating a large explosion or fire putting the community in danger. In regards to safety and security railroads and the government need to increase their cooperation to reduce the risk during transportation and the threat of a terrorist attack.
about an accident causing an explosion in a populated area or a spill contaminating the environment, such as the Virginia incident that spilled 20,000 gallons into drinking water. Currently, I do not have confidence in the railroad or the government to quickly and effectively respond to an accident. In the Virginia incident mentioned above the railroad took more than 24 hours to emplace containment measures to control the spill (Michigan State University, 2016). Furthermore, in Oregon the railroads and state government have yet to codify a response plan and share pertinent information such as the location of emergency equipment between each other (Michigan State University, 2016). The lack of preparation would be disastrous in a worse case scenario that involved terrorism. America’s rail system is vast and as such is difficult to fully secure. There are thousands of miles of open insecure railway and security at railyards is lacking allowing vandals to access rail cars every day (Plant & Young, 2007). A terrorist with a gas cutting torch or other common tools could quickly damage tracks causing the derailment of a train carrying Bakken oil. The lack of security may allow a terrorist to gain entry to a rail yard storing Bakken oil. Once access is gained, explosives could be placed creating a large explosion or fire putting the community in danger. In regards to safety and security railroads and the government need to increase their cooperation to reduce the risk during transportation and the threat of a terrorist attack.