US National Guard Troops Are Being Sent To Ukraine

Colonel Michael Foster at the Center for Strategic and International Studies said the current plan is for US forces to stay six months, but there have been discussions about how to increase the duration and the scope of the training mission.

John Vibes
By John Vibes
Ukraine

Ukrainian servicemen ride atop armored vehicles with a Ukrainian flag, near Artemivsk, eastern Ukraine, Tuesday, March 3, 2015. Six US national gaurd units are being deployed to Ukraine to 'train Ukrainian servicemen.' (ANTIMEDIA) According to Colonel Michael Foster at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC, the

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In Illinois, Flames And Clouds Of Smoke Signal Yet Another ‘Bomb Train’ Disaster

Derailment in Illinois near the Mississippi River affirms predictions that continued addiction to fossil fuels will be accompanied by dangers at every turn

Jon Queally
By Jon Queally
train derailment

Smoke and flames erupt from the scene of a train derailment Thursday, March 5, 2015, near Galena, Ill. A BNSF Railway freight train loaded with crude oil derailed around 1:20 p.m. in a rural area where the Galena River meets the Mississippi, said Jo Daviess County Sheriff's Sgt. Mike Moser.  AP Photo In yet the latest fiery example

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Weak Oil-Train Regulations Don’t Go Nearly Far Enough, Experts Warn

Proposed rules prioritize industry over community and environmental safety.

Deirdre Fulton
By Deirdre Fulton

Environmental groups say the Obama administration's new crude-by-rail regulations (pdf), proposed Wednesday, don't go nearly far enough to reduce the risk posed by hazardous rail cars carrying oil and ethanol across long distances. The proposed rules, which include a phase-out of older tank cars and new brake controls and speed restrictions,

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Train Spills 12,000 Gallons Of Oil In Minnesota, No Major Cleanup Effort Planned

12,000 gallons of crude oil leaked from a Canadian Pacific Railway train on Monday in Minnesota, dribbling oil along the tracks for 68 miles, according to local media reports. Officials at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said Tuesday they would investigate the cause of the spill, but said no major cleanup effort was planned because of its […]

Emily Atkin for Think Progress
By Emily Atkin for Think Progress

12,000 gallons of crude oil leaked from a Canadian Pacific Railway train on Monday in Minnesota, dribbling oil along the tracks for 68 miles, according to local media reports. Officials at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said Tuesday they would investigate the cause of the spill, but said no major cleanup effort was planned because of its

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Officials Warn Of Toxic Smoke Near ND Derailment

None hurt in the derailment of oil-hauling train, but 2,400 asked to evacuate while air quality is tested.

Associated Press
By Associated Press

CASSELTON, N.D. (AP) — Many residents evacuated a southeastern North Dakota town overnight after a train carrying crude oil derailed and exploded, and officials warned that acrid smoke could blow into the area. No one was hurt in Monday's derailment of the mile-long train that sent a great fireball and plumes of black smoke skyward about a

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Train Derailment, Explosion In Quebec Highlights Oil Industry Dangers

It’s the worst case scenario of incidents oil industry skeptics have been cautioning since the beginning of the North American oil boom.

Trisha Marczak
By Trisha Marczak

On Saturday, a train hauling 72 cars of North Dakota crude oil derailed in a small Quebec town just north of the Maine border, creating an explosion that destroyed more than 30 buildings and left more than 15 dead and 37 missing. Authorities say those who are missing may never be found, as their bodies may have been vaporized. More than 26,000

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