On the day before a Wasco County decision about whether or not to approve Union Pacific’s major rail expansion, another Union Pacific train derailed in Oregon, this time in the city of Eugene. The derailment of 13 cars on Sunday afternoon underscores Union Pacific’s terrible safety record and heightens concerns in Mosier and other Columbia River Gorge communities over increased rail traffic, including more explosive oil trains. The Wasco County Planning Commission meets at 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 26 at The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center in The Dalles to make a decision on the rail expansion proposal.
Union Pacific derailment in Eugene:
http://kval.com/news/local/union-pacific-train-derails-in-eugene-yard
“Yesterday’s Union Pacific derailment in Eugene reiterates just how common these derailments have become,” said Mosier Mayor Arlene Burns. “Perhaps before Union Pacific embraces capacity expansion, they should first upgrade the existing tracks to eliminate derailments. Any sort of hazardous materials derailment can have beyond devastating consequences for communities and habitats along the tracks.”
Mosier was the site of a fiery oil train derailment and fire on June 3 that spilled 42,000 gallons of crude oil and caused the evacuation of the town of Mosier. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a report finding that Union Pacific caused the accident by failing to maintain its tracks. Months after the derailment, the groundwater is still contaminated by crude oil and Mosier residents are still awaiting compensation from Union Pacific. Union Pacific has a poor safety record compared to the national average for railroads. The FRA reports that Union Pacific has more rail accidents per million miles traveled than the national average, more derailments per accident and more accidents caused by the failure to maintain its equipment.
Link to FRA Report Union Pacific safety analysis
Meanwhile, Union Pacific has applied for a National Scenic Area permit to expand its rail capacity by building over four miles of new tracks around Mosier, Oregon. According to rail traffic experts retained by Friends of the Columbia Gorge, the rail expansion project could result in a major increase in rail traffic, and oil trains, through the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
More on rail expansion impact study
Union Pacific’s proposal would violate dozens of mandatory standards in the National Scenic Area rules governing development, marring scenery, destroying plant and wildlife habitat, degrading wetlands and harming recreation. If built, the project would increase the likelihood of another oil train derailment in the Columbia River Gorge. Union Pacific now claims that it does not have to follow Gorge protection laws.
“Union Pacific is trying to railroad Wasco County into approving this major rail expansion,” said Steve McCoy, staff attorney for Friends of the Columbia Gorge. “This would result in many more trains, some of them loaded with extremely dangerous commodities, traveling through Gorge communities that oppose the new track while at the same time degrading the natural and scenic wonders of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
“Despite dozens of proposed violations of the National Scenic Area Act in the application, Union Pacific now claims that they are above Gorge protection laws and their application should be approved. Friends will vigorously defend Gorge protection laws against Union Pacific’s damaging and unnecessary proposal,” said McCoy.
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