"PORTLAND, Maine -- Millions of gallons of crude oil from the nation's heartland are crossing Maine in railroad tank cars bound for a Canadian oil refinery, raising concern among environmentalists and state officials about the threat of an accident and spill."

"The oil is primarily coming from the Bakken shale-oil field in North Dakota, with lesser amounts from neighboring Canada, where oil production has boomed in recent years. Trains carried nearly 5.3 million barrels of the light crude — more than 220 million gallons — across the state and into New Brunswick last year, and the volume is growing.

Railroads that operate in Maine say the increased business has resulted in more jobs and investment in the state. Moving oil by train is perfectly safe, railroad officials say, with upgraded tracks and modern tank cars."

Clarke Canfield reports for the Associated Press March 24, 2013. [2]