If approved, the Tesoro-Savage oil terminal would generate approximately 170,000 tank-car trips per year. According to the American Association of Railroads, there are 0.013 train accidents with a release per thousand Hazmat train cars. (www.ncsl.org/Portals/1/Documents/energy/Hellman-present..pdf)
On that basis, the Tesoro-Savage oil terminal would generate approximately two train accidents with a release per year. Some of the spills could cause major damage to salmon habitat.
Crude oil is not like motor oil; it contains dissolved gases. When a tank car is punctured, gases can rush out and find a spark. Some of the derailments will have the potential to ignite and cause a major forest fire or fatalities.
In 1982, Republican Gov. John Spellman defied his own party and the White House to reject a pipeline under Puget Sound and across the Cascades. He said, “There’s no reason for us to spoil the state, and the people don’t want it spoiled.”
