COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho - Oil is being shipped across the country in train cars that even the government says are unsafe, and two environmental groups are taking on the U.S. Department of Transportation, saying the agency isn't doing enough about it.

The Sierra Club and ForestEthics petitioned the department to ban the use of "DOT-111" tank cars with potentially explosive crude oil, because they are "prone to puncture, spills, and fires in train accidents."

Attorney Patti Goldman with Earthjustice said two-thirds of the crude oil transported by rail in the United States is in this type of tank car, which she described as "flimsy."

"They've been called 'soda cans on wheels,' and they puncture as least twice as often as the next tank car," she said. "And the National Transportation Safety Board has said they pose 'unacceptable public risks.' "

Goldman said DOT-111 tank cars already have been banned for shipping most hazardous chemicals. The Transportation Department says it won't ban using them for crude-oil shipment and instead is planning a rule-making process about the issue.

The Coeur d'Alene region is a main line for shipping crude oil in rail tanker cars from Canada to California.

In the meantime, the Department has issued an advisory urging rail shippers to use the "safest available tank cars in their fleet" for crude oil. The DOT-111s can be retrofitted, but Goldman claimed the feds are caving to pressure from oil and rail companies experiencing a tank car shortage, by putting off any tougher action.

"The industry, and this is mainly the oil industry, wants to double the fleet before they take these DOT-111s off the rails," she said. "So, they want to add more than 60,000 tank cars - and then remove and retrofit the DOT-111s."

The Transportation Department estimates 15 rail accidents a year involving oil spills with the current fleet of tank cars, and 10 major rail disasters over a 20-year period.

The petition is online at earthjustice.org. The DOT's safety advisory is at fra.dot.gov.


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Florida environmental advocates are concerned about the future after President-elect Donald Trump named former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.

Announcing Zeldin's selection, Trump said Zeldin would "ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses." Known for his loyalty to Trump and strong deregulation, Zeldin's appointment has left Florida's environmental defenders worried about potential rollbacks in air, water and public lands protections.

Eric Draper, an environmental consultant and former director of the Florida Park Service, explained what could be in store.

"What we know about the Trump administration is that they are going to move quickly in the direction of more fossil-fuel production," Draper pointed out. "So, more oil and gas drilling on public lands and possibly off our coast."

For Zeldin, the new role aligns with his long-standing belief in strengthening U.S. energy independence as he said he will "seek to ensure that the United States is able to pursue energy dominance ... bring back American jobs to the auto industry and so much more."

Draper is especially worried about the possible effects on public lands in Florida, including the Everglades, a national treasure facing ongoing threats from climate change and development pressures, including oil drilling.

Zeldin, a longtime advocate for energy and economic policies aligning with Trump's vision, has reassured supporters his goal is to create a pro-growth regulatory environment while ensuring environmental protections remain intact.

Draper believes strong environmental regulations and a healthy economy can coexist.

"The problem is that there are too many industries that are dirty industries, that use that idea of jobs and economic growth to clean the air and water," Draper contended. "It's time that we stopped believing that."

As Zeldin prepares to take the reins at the EPA, Florida's environmental community is bracing for a significant shift in environmental policy, particularly in energy production and land use.


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The hills and hollers of Virginia are no strangers to hardship, but few were prepared for the devastation Hurricane Helene would bring.

Six weeks after the storm tore through Appalachian communities, some survivors face a daunting road to recovery. Roads and bridges were washed out, homes were destroyed and many residents were cut off, relying on one another to make it through.

Emily Satterwhite, professor and director of the Appalachian Studies program at Virginia Tech University, has worked closely with local aid groups since the disaster struck.

"People are trying to figure out whether or how to rebuild along the New River," Satterwhite observed. "They're hearing from FEMA that their house is considered totaled and they can either be bought out and move or they can rebuild from scratch, but that FEMA won't provide funds to remodel because the house is considered a total loss."

Satterwhite is involved with the mutual-aid initiative Holler 2 Holler, which began in response to severe flooding in Kentucky in 2022 and has taken on a crucial role in the current crisis. She is also part of Monuments Across Appalachian Virginia, a network helping her to assess community needs across the region to help provide targeted aid.

In addition to the large federal response to help affected areas, Satterwhite highlighted the unique ties Appalachian people have to their land and each other, a social fabric that becomes a lifeline in times of crisis.

"These kinds of ad hoc networks that are customary in Appalachia, but they're generally much more local," Satterwhite explained. "We're seeing those same kinds of networks, but broadened out to figure out how to expand neighbors, helping neighbors, or holler to holler on a regional level."

Satterwhite describes the impact as "catastrophic" in parts of Southwest Virginia, Upper East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. She emphasized recovery will be a "really long haul" and stressed the assistance needed transcends politics, regardless of reactions following the presidential election.

Currently, Satterwhite noted while groups have enough small items, they are still accepting donations for big-ticket needs such as solar generators. She suggested following the social media pages of relief organizations to stay updated on specific needs.


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A Knoxville environmental group is raising concerns about a new uranium enrichment facility slated to be operated in Oak Ridge.

Unlike past sites operated by the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration, the 750,000 square-foot facility, creating more than 300 jobs, will be run by the private company Orano.

Tanvi Kardile, coordinator of the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance, said they are concerned about who will oversee safety regulations and environmental laws, as the government traditionally handled the responsibilities, including conducting environmental analyses and reports for large projects.

"How do lawsuits arise against private companies?" Kardile questioned. "There's kind of this different method of enforcement that's going to be operated and we are unsure about that, and I feel like the public should also be concerned about that, especially because all these facilities have such a direct impact on public health."

Kardile pointed out her group is already concerned with the ongoing risks tied to enriching uranium and other activities at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. The uranium processing facility is estimated to cost $10.3 billion and is set to be complete in 2027. Initially, the project was expected to cost $6.5 billion and finish by 2025.

Kardile highlighted uranium poses significant radiation risks, and with multiple projects in Oak Ridge involving uranium, it would exacerbate existing concerns. Additionally, she noted besides the health risks, there is a substantial taxpayer burden with this new project.

"Taxpayer dollars has always been a big concern with all these projects," Kardile stressed. "This one is one of the biggest investments in Tennessee history, and it's a multi-billion-dollar facility, that comes with a taxpayer burden. Historically, all these nuclear sites have been delayed. Then comes cost overruns."

Kardile emphasized the importance of Tennesseans collaborating with lawmakers to find the best path to allocate their tax dollars and protect public health.