Houston Matters

Crude-by-Rail Plummeting In Texas But Critics Insist Risk of Accidents Remains

Last month, two freight trains collided head-on and erupted in flames near Amarillo. And this month is the anniversary of a far worse train catastrophe in Canada. The accidents are why some community groups say more needs to be done in Houston to make railways safer, especially when it comes to the transport of one […]

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Tank cars for carrying crude oil (the ones painted black) sit on tracks near homes west of downtown Houston. (Photo: Dave Fehling, Houston Public Media)Last month, two freight trains collided head-on and erupted in flames near Amarillo. And this month is the anniversary of a far worse train catastrophe in Canada.

The accidents are why some community groups say more needs to be done in Houston to make railways safer, especially when it comes to the transport of one product in particular: crude oil.

From the News 88.7 energy and environment desk, Dave Fehling tells us more.

(Above: Tank cars for carrying crude oil — painted black — sit on tracks near homes west of downtown Houston. Photo: Dave Fehling, Houston Public Media)

Michael Hagerty

Michael Hagerty

Senior Producer, Houston Matters

Michael Hagerty is the senior producer for Houston Matters. He's spent more than 20 years in public radio and television and dabbled in minor league baseball, spending four seasons as the public address announcer for the Reno Aces, the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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