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Rail Transportation of Crude Oil, and More from CRS

02.10.14 | 1 min read | Text by Steven Aftergood

A recent boom in U.S. production of crude oil is generating some stress on the transportation infrastructure, according to a new report from the Congressional Research Service.

“The rapid expansion of North American oil production has led to significant challenges in transporting crudes efficiently and safely to domestic markets—principally refineries—using the nation’s legacy pipeline infrastructure,” the CRS report said.

“While oil by rail has demonstrated benefits with respect to the efficient movement of oil from producing regions to market hubs, it has also raised significant concerns about transportation safety and potential impacts to the environment.”

See U.S. Rail Transportation of Crude Oil: Background and Issues for Congress, February 6, 2014.

Other CRS publications that have been withheld by Congress from online public distribution include the following.

The Specialty Metal Clause: Oversight Issues and Options for Congress, February 6, 2014

Federal Reserve: Unconventional Monetary Policy Options, February 6, 2014