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Minnesota train derailment expected to have minimal environmental impact

The director of the Minnesota Biofuels Association suggests Wednesday’s train derailment in west-central Minnesota will have far fewer environmental consequences than a derailment that occurred in Ohio two months ago.

Brian Werner tells Brownfield the ethanol that spilled near Raymond is flammable, but essentially non-toxic in the environment.

“And based on the known behaviors of ethanol in the environment and past incidents like this, we certainly do not expect there to be any ongoing human health concerns related to the derailment.”

Cleanup continues near East Palestine, Ohio after a derailment February 2nd resulted in a controlled release of chemicals into the environment.

He also points out ethanol spills are extremely rare.

“Over the past 20 years, more than 99.99 percent of shipments have safely reached their destination without incident.”

Burlington Northern Sante Fe railroad officials say 22 railcars containing ethanol and corn syrup derailed late Wednesday night southwest of Willmar, Minnesota.  The cause is unknown.