2nd train derails in Wisconsin in 2 days, spills crude oil

Thirteen cars derailed around 2 p.m. Sunday in Watertown.

“In none of these cases would the ethanol persist as a long-term pollutant in the way an oil or gas spill would”, he said. It was the second derailment in Wisconsin this past weekend – the other spilled at least 18,000 gallons of ethanol into the Mississippi River near Alma, Wis. Investigations and cleanups were underway at both sites Monday afternoon, and the twin incidents galvanized several local efforts to bring more oversight to railway practices.

The company said the leaking auto has been sealed and the spilled oil has been contained and siphoned off. In July, the Federal Railroad Administration warned railroads that the emergency order remained in effect and they must continue to comply with it.

A 13-car Canadian Pacific train crashed on Sunday, resulting in one tank vehicle spilling Bakken crude oil near the Wisconsin town, according to the agency. BNSF said close to 20,000 gallons of ethanol spilled into the Mississippi River.

Since 2013, there are have been over 30 crashes and derailments across the country involving crude oil or ethanol. One of the cars was punctured, spilling less than 1,000 gallons of oil.

Personnel from the city of Watertown fire and police departments responded to the scene, and officials evacuated 35 homes in the areas of Lafayette, Montgomery and West streets and in other areas nearby as well as a precautionary measure.

There was damage to the other derailed cars and to the tracks.

There were no reports of fire or injuries, according to a release from the Watertown Fire Department.

CP says track is being installed Monday afternoon. “The increase in rail traffic shows no signs of stopping, which is why we must take immediate action to prevent future derailments”.

At this time, we estimate that the tracks will return to service Monday morning.

The Environmental Protection Agency also had a coordinator on site.

As BNSF deals with its derailment, Canadian Pacific Railway is working to clear 13 tanker cars that derailed Sunday in the southern Wisconsin community of Watertown.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is standing by its decision issued last spring that new and retrofitted tank cars be required to withstand being engulfed in a pool of burning liquid for 100 minutes without exploding. As a precaution, they dispatched Alma firefighters door-to-door, asking almost 150 residents to temporarily evacuate.