CSX working on oil cleanup on Virginia

LYNCHBURG, Va., May 2 (UPI) -- CSX Corp. said it was implementing an environmental response plan for any Bakken crude oil that may have spilled in the James River in a Virginia derailment.

A CSX train derailed in Lynchburg, Va., Wednesday afternoon, forcing local authorities to evacuate the area. No injuries were reported.

The rail company said some of the rail cars involved in the accident were carrying crude oil from the Bakken reserve area in North Dakota to area refineries. The train was handed off to CSX at a Chicago terminal as it headed toward Yorktown, Va.

CSX said Thursday it was cooperating fully with all investigators to determine what caused the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation.

CSX said it was implementing an environmental assessment and protection effort that includes "measures to prevent dispersal of any contents from the train that may have entered the James River."

The increase in North American crude oil production has put a burden on existing pipeline capacity and industry officials say rail transportation is taking up the slack.

Canadian authorities have implemented stringent safety measures in response to last year's deadly oil train derailment in Lac-Megantic, Quebec.

In January, U.S. regulators warned the type of crude oil from the Bakken region may be more flammable than other grades.

CSX said three trains caught fire in the derailment.