Oil Train to Nowhere

Proponents of the proposed Uinta Basin Railway oil train claim it would allow the oil industry to quadruple petroleum extraction in the area. Residents are concerned their property will be seized by eminent domain in order to serve private industry rather than the common good. Many have been notified that surveys are planned.

The oil train would exacerbate climate change, degrade air and water quality, and damage public and private lands. It would permanently endanger the communities along its path. From methane releases at the extraction sites in Utah, to the fuels burned to transport it, to pollution at refining sites (likely in the Gulf of Mexico) and where it is burned, to the ultimate climate impacts, this oil train is a reckless misuse of public money.

Send your comments and sign the petition here: https://www.stopuintabasinrailway.com/

More Information

The Surface Transportation Board, the lead agency working to permit the oil train, has released their scope of work document - December 9, 2019
Scope of Work for Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Colorado River Connected published a thorough background and review of the proposed oil train.
The Uintah Basin Railway: a fossil fuel disaster

Salt Lake Tribune, by Brian Maffley - June 13, 2019
Disputed rail project seeking to ship eastern Utah oil to more lucrative markets clears hurdle with $21 million funding boost
“The CIB is failing the public trust in the administration of this money,” Sarah Stock - Program Director, Living Rivers

Visit Stop the Uinta Basin Railway for more information and actions.

Get Involved

It is NOT clear that the Environmental Impact Statement will consider the full climate impacts of the additional petroleum that would be extracted as a result of the oil train. The full climate impacts of the quadrupled oil exploitation need to be assessed, including:

methane and other pollution at the site of extraction
transportation to the Gulf of Mexico or other locations, and the impacts of refining it
shipping to final destinations in Asia and elsewhere
burning at final destinations

Support

These organizations are working to stop the proposed oil train. Write and ask how you can help their efforts.

Living Rivers & Colorado Riverkeeper - Sarah Stock, Program Director
Utah Tar Sands Resistance - Raphael Cordray, Director

Roger and Melissa Peck want to welcome the proponents of the oil train to their property, so they can see the place that may be seized and destroyed.

Roger and Melissa Peck await news about the arrival of oil train surveyors.

Debris pile at the bankrupt PR Springs tar sands mine. A new oil train could make dirty fuels like tar sands profitable.

Meeting in Vernal, Utah, where $21.4 million of public funds was allocated to a new oil train.

Proponents of the oil train spent hours promoting the project to the Utah Permanent Community Impact Board. Those opposed (standing in back) did not get to speak.

One of thousands of oil derricks in the Uinta Basin.