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Re: -- WOW-double track waste? Sources?
Author: BOB2
Date: 06-03-2014 - 12:07
Where did you get these numbers, what sources? And, you make such interesting statements on some other things like the regulation of foreign trade. Could it be something you saw on the internet?
Back in the fact based universe......
The fact is that the States don't regulate exports. And, I couldn't find (nor do you provide?) any sourcing on these other pretty wild assertions about these purported reduction numbers? Which don't appear to make much sense, because electricity production accounts for over 2/3's of CO2, and because of the massive hydro/nuke/wind mix in Washington's electrical power mix already?
Meanwhile, double tracking seems to be proceeding, despite the misgivings, the rhetoric, and the conspiracy theories on both extremes. Trains are far more energy efficient, and double tracking is needed, due to increasing rail traffic from imports and the increasing shift of domestic truck traffic to rail. Oil trains, more passenger services in the Washington state corridor, and the failure to preserve rail infrastructure/capacity abandoned in the 70's, 80.s, and 90's, will continue to propel the need to double track.
Yes, exports of oil and gas are now prohibited, but by Federal policy (Nixon), not states. And, while I think we should export oil and gas in the free market, you'd probably complain about that, too, especially if you had to pay a "free market" price for gasoline or natural gas?
Oil trains, while not as safe as pipelines, will continue to run for some time, due to the need to transport American oil to American refineries from new sources not on the pipeline grid. This will remain a fact, as long as most voters still drive cars, probably at least until most of Florida is under water (which might not be such a great loss to many folks?).
So for all the posturing, all this falderall would appear to be yet another red herring, which keeps the usual suspects on both of the loony fringes frothing, excited, and ready to rant, or threaten lawsuits, but does little to improve actual rail safety, improve fuel economy, or develop more and cheaper sources of clean electricity, all of which are considered by most folks to be good things to do.
Back in the fact based universe......
The fact is that the States don't regulate exports. And, I couldn't find (nor do you provide?) any sourcing on these other pretty wild assertions about these purported reduction numbers? Which don't appear to make much sense, because electricity production accounts for over 2/3's of CO2, and because of the massive hydro/nuke/wind mix in Washington's electrical power mix already?
Meanwhile, double tracking seems to be proceeding, despite the misgivings, the rhetoric, and the conspiracy theories on both extremes. Trains are far more energy efficient, and double tracking is needed, due to increasing rail traffic from imports and the increasing shift of domestic truck traffic to rail. Oil trains, more passenger services in the Washington state corridor, and the failure to preserve rail infrastructure/capacity abandoned in the 70's, 80.s, and 90's, will continue to propel the need to double track.
Yes, exports of oil and gas are now prohibited, but by Federal policy (Nixon), not states. And, while I think we should export oil and gas in the free market, you'd probably complain about that, too, especially if you had to pay a "free market" price for gasoline or natural gas?
Oil trains, while not as safe as pipelines, will continue to run for some time, due to the need to transport American oil to American refineries from new sources not on the pipeline grid. This will remain a fact, as long as most voters still drive cars, probably at least until most of Florida is under water (which might not be such a great loss to many folks?).
So for all the posturing, all this falderall would appear to be yet another red herring, which keeps the usual suspects on both of the loony fringes frothing, excited, and ready to rant, or threaten lawsuits, but does little to improve actual rail safety, improve fuel economy, or develop more and cheaper sources of clean electricity, all of which are considered by most folks to be good things to do.
