Ethanol-laden trains on Revere tracks a sore subject

REVERE – Chants of “The people united can never be defeated,” could be heard outside Revere City Hall Thursday afternoon as groups of disgruntled citizens expressed outrage over proposals of trains carrying ethanol going through their city.The State Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) held a public hearing concerning Global Petroleum trying to obtain a waterway license. However, most of the attention was focused on the trains themselves.?We don?t want these trains coming through our city,” Revere resident Ed O?Hara said.Global Petroleum, which resides on Lee Burbank Highway, plans on having two 60 car trains filled with ethanol going through cities like Chelsea, Everett, East Boston and ending in Revere each week. In one year, 187 million gallons would pass through the cities and each train alone holds 30,000 gallons of ethanol.Currently, the ethanol arrives by truck.?The bottom line is that it is an environmental issue,” North Shore resident Sue Harden said.While representatives from Global were in attendance, they declined to comment stating that, to keep the hearing moving along quickly, they will respond to people?s questions in writing, according to Attorney Daniel Bailey.?I want to go on record and I say I?m against ethanol coming to our community,” Mayor Dan Rizzo said to a crowded City Hall that applauded his statement. “In a perfect world, there would be no ethanol.”Many worried about the potential homeland security risks and terrorist attacks that could take place.?In a post 9-11 environment, I can not understand why we would entertain an additional target into our community,” Chelsea City Manager Jay Ash said.O?Hara stated that when Osama bin Laden was killed, that the Untied States found plans to attack ethanol trains in densely populated areas.?We are talking about people, their kids and their homes,” O?Hara said.However, not everyone expressed the same concern.?Rail is the safest way possible,” said Dan Lauzon, who said he works on the railways. “I don?t share the same fear as everyone else here.”Lauzon?s comments were not greeted favorably. Many in the crowd booed.?Now, I don?t think I deserve a cheer but I don?t think I deserve to be booed either,” he pleaded.A person in the crowd poke up, asking Lauzon where he lived.?Rockport,” he answered.?Then bring the ethanol to Rockport then,” came a reply in return.Officials wanted to know, in case these trains run through the area, that the public will be protected and safe.?I haven?t seen evacuation plans yet,” Ash said. “I haven?t seen any security plans yet either.”?We need to be on a parallel path on how we can best prevent accidental discharges or acts of terrorism,” Rizzo added. “I will do everything in my power to keep the residents safe.”Sara Brown can be reached at [email protected].