folc.ca's comment on HAZCO's answer to FAQ #20

Note: The background text in the following was copied from the Frequently-asked Questions page at HAZCO's website, Nov. 2, 2005.  HAZCO's answers to "frequently asked questions" deserve further comments.  Those comments are inserted where required in HAZCO's text and are shown on yellow background.

From HAZCO's FAQ web page (quoted verbatim):

FAQ #20. How will you deal with the safety issues with so much more road and rail traffic?

With respect to the rail traffic, Hazco anticipates one to two unit trains per week so the effect on traffic patterns will be minimal.  Discussions with Lamont County may be initiated to upgrade rail crossings if they become a safety issue.

Comment: In other words, when it happens that a train is stalled and blocks a railroad crossing on a dark night, and if someone is then killed or seriously injured by driving into the train (something that has apparently happened more than once in connection with Shell's sulphur facility at Shantz — in an area that is far less densely populated than ours), HAZCO may then initiate discussions with the County of Lamont to make the many railroad crossings in our County safer.  Why would discussions take place after the fact of someone having been killed or injured (how many incidents it would take to make those discussions happen is not mentioned)?  Why would HAZCO even consider discussing such an issue with the County if not for the fact that it expects the taxpayers of the County of Lamont to pay a portion if not all of the costs for the required upgrades to railroad crossings in our County? However, HAZCO's declared intentions are obviously not to close the barn door before the horses have bolted but maybe to discuss with the County who will pay what portion of the required crossing upgrades when someone (or a few people) has been killed. Besides, the upgrades would have to be done by the railroad companies, not by the County.  The County (that is, its taxpayers) would do nothing more than foot the bill if HAZCO has its way.

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Created Nov. 4, 2005