By Thomas Black Bloomberg Jul 18, 2014
Warren Buffett’s Union Tank Car Co., which makes cars that carry crude oil, is urging U.S. regulators to adopt new rules for rail operations in addition to sturdier tank-car standards to improve safety.
[Editor’s Note: Buffet also owns BNSF Railroad.]
Fire crews worked to clean up a pipe leaking hydrocarbon after it caught fire at the Chevron Refinery in Richmond Wednesday morning. Chevron officials called the Richmond Fire Department at 2:10 a.m. as a precautionary measure. Crews arrived to find a broken processing line with a hydrocarbon liquid leaking which reportedly ignited the flames. Crews were able to put out the small blaze shortly after 3 a.m. The leak was stopped at 5:30 a.m. and the clean-up process is continuing. No injuries were reported and all employees and contractors were safely accounted for, according to a Chevron refinery spokesperson. A Level One notification was made to Contra Costa County Health Services as precautionary protocol, but there is no danger to the community, according to Chevron officials. Crews remain on site to help clean up the liquid that spilled on the ground of the plant’s Fluid Catalytic Unit at Gate 31. An investigation is underway to determine the oil leak and fire.
By Guy Cooper Martinez Gazette july 13, 2014
I can’t help thinking of them, the 47 lives suddenly snuffed a year ago, July 6, by a runaway oil train that incinerated that downtown and fostered a firestorm of outrage, fear and controversy across this continent about the haste, greed and disregard that deliver oil trains threatening our communities with death and disaster.
I knew none of them, but feel a kinship for another small, quaint, historic railroad town of antique brick buildings clustered by train tracks aside a waterfront park, alive on a warm summer night with music, laughter and camaraderie amongst good friends. Continue reading
Yeah, you heard that right…BP said it!
“Total world proved oil reserves reached 1687.9 billion barrels at the end of 2013, sufficient to meet 53.3 years of global production. The largest additions to reserves came from Russia, adding 900 million barrels and Venezuela adding 800 million barrels. OPEC members continue to hold the majority of reserves, accounting for 71.9% of the global total. South & Central America continues to hold the highest R/P ratio. Over the past decade, global proved reserves have increased by 27%, or over 350 billion barrels.”
“Global oil production did not keep pace with the growth in global consumption, rising by just 0.6% or560,000 b/d. The US (+1.1 million b/d) recorded the largest growth in the world and the largest annual increment in the country’s history for a second consecutive year. The US accounted for nearly all (96%) of the non-OPEC output increase of 1.2 million b/d (the strongest since 2002) to reach a record 50 million b/d. Increases in Canada (+210,000 b/d) and Russia (+150,000 b/d) offset declines in Syria (-120,000 b/d), the UK and Norway (-80,000 b/d each) and Australia (-70,000 b/d). OPEC output fell by 600,000 b/d, the first decline since 2009. Declines in Libya (-520,000 b/d), Iran (-190,000 b/d), Saudi Arabia (-110,000 b/d) and Nigeria (-100,000 b/d) outweighed an increase in the UAE (+250,000 b/d).”
By Jessica McDiarmid The Star Jul 10 2014
CN train skipped the tracks outside town, with empty tankers that carried only residue of jet fuel.
The California Energy Commission is taking comments on changing trends in California’s sources of crude oil. The deadline for comments is July 10, 2014.
This is an important opportunity for clean energy supporters to raise concerns about two of the most critical issues California is facing around crude oil:
1) the dangerous transportation of crude oil by rail, and
2) the use of dirty Tar Sands oil in California refineries. Please join us in advocating improved regulations to protect public health and the environment from crude oil.
Note: Please click “select this recipient” below to open email form.
Janea Scott
California Energy Commission
Email:docket@energy.ca.gov
Select this recipient
-Learn more about Crude by Rail
-Learn more about Tar Sands Crude
If you prefer, you may send a paper copy of your comments to:
California Energy Commission Dockets Office,
MS-4 Re: Docket No. 14-IEP-1F 1516
Ninth Street Sacramento, CA 95814-5512
Richmond, We Have Choices! We can make Chevron Cleaner and Safer!
Join Your Neighbors and Friends!
Tomorrow! July 9th
5:30 pm Rally, 6:30 pm Meeting
Richmond Planning Commission
Kennedy High School Cafeteria
4300 Cutting Blvd. Richmond, CA
5:30 pm- Rally – Power without Pollution Festival & Sign up to speak at the Planning Commission meeting
6:30 pm- Planning Commission Hearing
The REJC is: APEN, ACCE, CBE, CNA, RPA, Urban Tilth, West County Toxics Coalition and 350 Chevron Watch
For more info: Andres Soto 510.282.5363, Andres@cbecal.org
By Dean Bennett The Canadian Press Jul 07 2014
Study indicates link between oilsands pollution and higher cancer rates in area residents and animals. Local Cree chief says action must be taken now
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/07/07/student_links_oilsands
_pollution_to_higher_cancer_rates.html
Martinez Environmental Group 