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The volume of oil spilled during and after the Lac-Mégantic train derailment earlier this month is now estimated at about 5.7 million litres, according to Quebec’s Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks in a press release issued late yesterday.
If this figure proves correct, this oil spill will have been the worst yet in North America, except for offshore spills such as the Deepwater Horizon accident in 2010.
More than 50 environmental, labour and social justice organizations throughout Quebec and Canada are calling on Canada to introduce tighter rules for the transportation of oil.
Instead of debating which method of oil transportation is best, we should be looking at ways to reduce our dependence on oil. According to a recent Harris-Decima poll, Canadians strongly believe that the country needs a climate and energy strategy that reduces fossil fuel dependence and promotes a greener economy. Eighty-seven per cent of respondents supported this view.
P.S. Pipelines also have a poor track record when it comes to spills. The Canadian pipeline company Enbridge spilled an average of 1.9 million litres of oil a year in North America between 2007 and 2012.
Photo credit: TVA Nouvelles
