"Let Them Eat Cake" -- If They Want More Dangerous CBR Terminals, Then We'll Build More Dangerous CBR Terminals

The AP is reporting via Rigzone:

The chief executive of TransCanada said Wednesday if the Obama administration doesn't approve the controversial Keystone XL pipeline his company will look to the more dangerous alternative of building build rail terminals in Alberta and Oklahoma.

President Barack Obama is expected to decide early this year on Keystone XL, which is under review at the State Department. The long-delayed pipeline would carry oil from Canada to the Gulf Coast. TransCanada CEO Russ Girling said pipelines are "by far a safer alternative" to oil trains but said if customers want him to build rail terminals he will. He said he's in discussions with oil and rail companies. Concerns have been raised about the increasing use of rail to transport oil throughout North America.

A number of recent derailments have worried both officials and residents close to rail lines. In July, 47 people were killed in Lac-Megantic, Quebec, when a train with 72 oil tankers derailed and exploded in the small community. On Dec. 30, an oil train derailed and exploded in North Dakota, causing the evacuation of a nearby town but no injuries. Earlier this month, a train carrying oil and gas exploded in New Brunswick, also causing evacuations.

Girling said they'll consider building a rail terminal in Hardisty, Alberta where the pipeline would have started. He said he will also consider building an import terminal in Cushing, Oklahoma, site of the biggest U.S. oil storage hub. The southern leg of Keystone XL from Cushing to refineries in the Gulf Coast is set to come online next week.

RBN Energy has posted a number of excellent articles on Canadian CBR.