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Among the arguments against development of oil and natural gas pipelines in our region is the possibility of a leak or other accident that could lead to disaster. But an accident of a different kind over the weekend reminds us we already tolerate an incredible level of risk every day.
When a trail derailed near East Palestine, Ohio, residents within a mile of the accident were ordered to evacuate, over environmental and safety concerns. Gov. Mike DeWine on Sunday said there had been a "drastic temperature change" in a rail car, which could cause a "catastrophic tanker failure," making it possible for an explosion with deadly shrapnel traveling up to a mile.
But what horrible, dangerous things were being transported on the 50 rail cars (20 actually were carrying hazardous materials, and 10 derailed), some of which were still burning a day after the accident?
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the train was carrying vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, a residue of benzene from previous shipments, wheat, plastic pellets, malt liquors and lubricating oil. All it took was mechanical failure with one rail car axle to send some of that into a fiery derailment, and into streams.
Where are the protesters clamoring for immediate shutdown of the railroads that have transported these and other materials across our country for almost 200 years? What about the trucks that have been doing the same for more than 125 years? The bottom line is material will be transported, one way or another. And because no system is infallible, accidents will occasionally happen -- though each industry should be held to an incredibly high standard in trying to prevent them.
If liquefied natural gas is not transported via pipeline, it is transported via specialty tanker trucks, railway tanker cars and ships. It's got to get from point A to point B somehow. And again, those in charge of safety and maintenance in all transportation industries should be striving for and held to the highest standards possible. No one argues that. But for protesters to pretend we aren't already dealing with a certain level of risk to live with the modern conveniences to which we have become accustomed is disingenuous at best; and they know it.