No replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

The Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA, 6/13:

Editorial: Secrecy of rail cargo should not be tolerated

Railroad companies don’t want the public to know about shipments of crude oil chugging through their communities but some states, including Washington and Idaho, have refused to get on board.

Shipments of volatile materials have long been shrouded in secrecy, but a series of fiery – and sometimes deadly – derailments triggered a federal order for greater disclosure. However, BNSF Railway, Union Pacific and CSX, with an assist from the feds, are asking states to keep the information from the public.

California and other states may cooperate. Thankfully, Washington and Idaho won’t, saying secrecy would violate public records laws. Oregon hasn’t decided what to do.

SNIP

The railroad companies say it’s important to keep shipment details of potentially dangerous materials secret, for fear of terrorist attacks. But long oil trains can’t be hidden. An activist group in Everett recently conducted a weeklong count and had no trouble spotting them.

It’s no secret that the number of oil trains has surged in recent years. The rail industry needs to demonstrate that it can safely handle the increased traffic and that it isn’t afraid of sharing information.

Secrecy doesn’t calm anyone; it just derails trust.

More.