The chance of an oil train derailing and dumping its cargo between Spokane and a new terminal proposed for Vancouver, Washington, is extremely low, according to a risk assessment prepared for state officials. Such a derailment would probably occur only once every 12 years, and in the most likely scenario, only half a tank car of oil would be spilled, according to the report. But critics say the risk assessment - which includes work by three Texas consultants who are former BNSF Railway employees and count the railroad as a client - is based on generic accident data, and likely lowballs the risk of a fiery derailment in Spokane and other communities on the trains’ route/Becky Kramer, SR. More here.

Question: Does the presence of a growing number of oil trains in the region worry you?