Making transport safer

North America’s rail network moves 99.99 percent of hazardous materials, including crude oil, without incident, according to the Association of American Railroads. Even one incident is too many, but it’s important to understand crude-by-rail’s excellent safety record and the systematic, comprehensive efforts that drive it.

Recognizing that the vast majority of derailments are caused by broken tracks and human error, the oil and natural gas industry is working with railroads and regulators to implement a comprehensive approach that emphasizes prevention, as well as mitigation and response.

The oil and natural gas industry voluntarily adopted new standards for state-of-the-art rail tank cars in 2011 - surpassing federal requirements at the time – that now make up the majority of the fleet. Investments in research, construction, operational integrity and process management have led to a continual decline in the number of incidents involving the production, processing and transportation of oil and natural gas by pipeline, ship and rail.

Safe transport of energy resources is essential to lowering costs for consumers, creating jobs and growing the economy. America’s oil and natural gas industry is working closely with regulators and railroads toward our goal of zero incidents.

Robin Rorick, American Petroleum Institute

Washington, D.C.