When it comes to the question of whether pipeline or rail is safer for moving crude, the answer depends somewhat on the source, but pipelines are broadly understood to come out ahead, not only on safety, but also on cost and efficiency. However, newfound oil abundance in areas not traditionally associated with oil and gas make a strong case for using both transportation methods.

A fatal train derailment and explosion in Quebec last month has focused attention on crude-by-rail, prompting a flurry of data releases and commentary about whether it is as safe a mode of crude transportation as pipelines are.

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