Subcommittees Hold Hearing to Discuss Safety of Transporting Bakken Crude Oil
(Washington, DC) – Yesterday, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Energy Subcommittee and Oversight Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the characteristics of Bakken crude oil. The hearing follows a Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) report released in July 2014 that detailed the characteristics of various types of crude oil, including volatility, which is a material’s propensity to vaporize.
The subcommittees heard from two panels. The first panel included Mr. Timothy Butters, the Deputy Administrator of PHMSA at the U.S. Department of Transportation and Mr. Chris Smith, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Fossil Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy. The second panel included Ms. Kari Cutting, Vice President of North Dakota Petroleum Council; Mr. John Auers, Executive Vice President of Turner, Mason, & Company; and Mr. Mark Zoanetti, Deputy Chief of Special Operations at the Syracuse Fire Department in Syracuse, New York.
Ranking Member Dan Maffei (D-NY) of the Subcommittee on Oversight said in his prepared statement, “Bakken crude oil is an important contributor to our energy portfolio, is a vital economic resource, and helps keep domestic energy costs low. While we need to do all we can to keep energy costs low for hardworking middle class families, we must address the real world consequences associated with crude-by-rail safety issues and potential accidents. Both these concerns and consequences are increasing as more crude oil moves along more miles of track than ever before, creating new risks and potential hazards.”
Mr. Butters said in his written testimony, “Based on the data PHMSA collected, Bakken crude oil would be considered a ‘light sweet crude oil.’… PHMSA notes that light sweet Bakken crude oil may be more ignitable and flammable than some other types of crude oil, specifically ‘heavy crude oil.’”
Members and witnesses on the first panel further discussed the chemical properties of crude oil and variations across different types, as well as the variables involved in safely transporting these crude oils.
Ranking Member Eric Swalwell of the Subcommittee on Energy said, “I am glad that the Department of Transportation is finally addressing this issue head on. It appears to me that with this proposed rule we are ensuring that the United States not only continues to be a leader in the production and transportation of these fuels, but that we really do this in a safe and responsible manner.”
Mr. Zoanetti agreed that the emphasis should be on safety, saying in his opening statement, “Should an accident happen similar to the ones that have already occurred, local resources will quickly be overextended. To be able to protect the public, emergency response agencies will need the tools to respond and mitigate accidents. The prevention of accidents should also be on the forefront of this endeavor whether through engineered controls, track maintenance, or making the product safer in transportation.”
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