Report: North Dakota’s crude oil is particularly explosive

Report: North Dakota’s crude oil is particularly explosive

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When a mile-long train carrying crude oil through North Dakota derailed and exploded in a “giant fireball” Monday, Mayor Ed McConnell of nearby Casselton commented that his town, which evacuated as strong winds blew acrid smoke and soot toward them, had dodged a bullet. This was, after all, the fourth serious derailment in North America in just the past six months, including the July incident that saw 47 killed in Quebec.  ”It’s almost gotten to the point that it looks like not if we’re going to have an accident, it’s when,” McConnell told the Associated Press.

It’s probably no coincidence that Warren Buffet — who owns the company that owns the company that operated the derailed train – chose Monday to buy stock in a pipeline company.

And while many are continuing to question the safety of rail transport for crude oil, officials now