BNSF settlement for oil spill caused by train derailment

BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) has agreed on a settlement following a train derailment that caused a crude oil spill near the city of Galena in Illinois, USA

The settlement resolves environmental concerns that arose in 2015 when a train derailed, spilling a large amount of crude oil that ignited near Galena. Following the spill, Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office obtained an agreed court order to require BNSF to clean up the crash site and monitor it for crude oil contamination.

To clean up the site, BNSF spent more than $10.5m, including reimbursements to state and local authorities for costs incurred. BNSF has continued to monitor the site, and to date, there is no evidence of groundwater contamination. In addition to funding the clean-up, BNSF spent approximately $50,000 to repair unrelated storm damage to a nearby bicycle trail at the request of the city of Galena. Under the terms of the settlement entered in Jo Daviess County Circuit Court, BNSF will pay $50,000 in civil penalties.

The Attorney General said: “As the result of our court actions to enforce the state’s environmental laws, BNSF agreed to take immediate steps to clean up the oil and other damage caused by the train derailment and has monitored the site in the aftermath of the incident to assure no ground water contamination occurred.”

For more information visit www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov

7th March 2017