Putnam County Considering Action on Crude Oil Risk after Riverkeeper Gallay Presentation
February 19, 2015
Riverkeeper Team
On February 11 Hudson Riverkeeper Paul Gallay delivered a strong message to the Health, Social, Educational & Environmental Committee of Putnam County on the risks of crude oil transport in the Hudson Valley— “the risk is real and the risk is local.” Riverkeeper is calling on the Putnam County Legislature to pass a resolution demanding improved safety for the public and to protect the Hudson River from a potentially catastrophic oil spill.
The AfroditePhoto: Russ Cusick
Yearly, up to 6.3 billion gallons of volatile Bakken crude and sinking tar sands crude are moving down the Hudson River by barge, tanker and rail. Each mode of transportation presents unique sets of risks. An accident by barge or vessel could devastate the Hudson River with spills totaling up to several million gallons. Just this week, two crude by rail disasters in Ontario and West Virginia demonstrate the persistent threat posed to Hudson Valley communities near these “bomb trains.” As Paul said during his presentation, “the movement of this crude oil through the Hudson Valley is out ahead of public safety.”
Senator Schumer, Ulster County Executive Mike P. Hein, and Riverkeeper Boat Captain John Lipscomb calling for crude by rail safety
To illuminate one of the key issues, failing rail bridge infrastructure, the legislators watched clips from our new video report “Riverkeeper, Schumer Call for Oversight on Crude Oil Route" Reiterating his point about safety Paul noted, “It’s 800 yards across the [Hudson] river from the oil-train tracks to Cold Spring.” A crude oil train disaster like the one seen in West Virginia and Ontario this week could significantly impact Putnam County.
The committee will likely vote on a crude oil resolution at their next meeting. An additional resolution calling on General Electric to fully cleanup it's PCB contamination of the Hudson River passed the committee and now moves to the full legislature. We thank the Putnam County Health, Social, Educational & Environmental Committee for showing leadership on both of these issues and we urge swift passage of the PCB resolution and the forthcoming crude oil resolution.
Riverkeeper continues to encourage counties, municipalities and the public to speak out for safer and more responsible crude oil transportation. As stated in our latest press release following recent crude by rail disasters— industry, New York State and Federal government agencies must take greater steps to ensure the integrity of the Hudson River and the safety of New York communities in the path of crude oil.
For more information please view Paul’s presentation below:
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