The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday ordered Norfolk Southern to pay for cleanup after the East Palestine, Ohio train wreck. Federal regulators are now in charge of long-term recovery and have assured residents that they will not be forgotten.
Norfolk Southern CEO, speaking to reporters at the site of the derailment, promised to take the necessary steps to protect the community’s long-term well-being and to become a safer railroad.
EPA used the authority granted by federal Superfund laws to order Norfolk Southern to take all measures possible to clean contaminated water and air. The company was also told that it would have to reimburse the federal Government for the new cleaning program for affected residents and businesses.
At a press conference in East Palestine, EPA Administrator Michael Regan promised that Norfolk Southern would pay to clean up the mess they made and the trauma they caused in this community. “I understand that this order will not undo the trauma that the families of this town have endured, but it is a step in the right direction to bring justice for what Norfolk Southern did.”
Norfolk Southern has been warned that it will be held responsible for any work not completed by the agency, and triple damages may be sought from the company.
Political Cartoons
EPA plans to provide more information on its cleanup service, which will “provide additional reassurance” for both residents and businesses.
The agency stated that its order marked an end to the “emergency phase” of the derailment on Feb. The agency said its order marked the end of the “emergency” phase of the Feb.
Alan Shaw, CEO of Norfolk Southern, reiterated his commitment to investing in and restoring the site.
“I’ve committed to Norfolk Southern from day one that we will remediate the site. We’ll do long-term monitoring of air and water. We’ll help residents in this community recover. And we’ll invest in the health of the community for the long term.” He told reporters that they would make Norfolk Southern safer.
Jeff Zalick lives in a home with his mother, who is 100 years old, just a few blocks away from the site of the derailment. He said that he would wait until the house had been cleaned before re-entering. He said the home still smells of chemicals, but not as bad as it did a week earlier.
Before he allows his mother to return, he will clean the walls and install air purifiers.
He said, “I want to be sure that she is safe.” She’s ready for home. She weeps every day.”
In a Tweet sent shortly after the EPA’s announcement, Joe Biden claimed that the Trump Administration and other elected officials had hampered efforts for improving rail safety.
We’ll continue holding rail companies accountable when safety is not put first. “But first, we have to clean up the mess that Norfolk Southern has made,” he said. “I want the affected residents to be aware that we have their back.”
The EPA’s decision to compel Norfolk Southern clean up occurred nearly three weeks after over thirty freight cars, including 11 that carried hazardous materials, derailed near the Pennsylvania border in East Palestine. This prompted an evacuation amid growing fears of a possible explosion from the smoldering wreckage.
In order to prevent an uncontrolled explosion , officials intentionally burned toxic Vinyl Chloride in five rail cars. This sent flames and black fumes high into the air. questioned the health effects, even though authorities claimed they were trying to protect people.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine assured residents that they would not be left on their own to deal with the aftermath once the public attention shifts elsewhere.
He said, “We know that this is not about today or two weeks hence.” “People are concerned about the long term, and we will do all we can to keep this going.”
DeWine stated that 4,600 yards and 1.1 millions gallons of contaminated contaminated water had already been removed. DeWine said Norfolk Southern had not addressed the contamination of soil beneath its tracks prior to repairing them and resuming freight. He said that the company would need to remove the soil and reinstall the tracks.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has criticized Norfolk Southern for what he calls its “failed crisis management.” He said the company refused to participate in a unified command and gave inaccurate information as well as conflicting modelling data.
Shapiro said at a news conference along with Regan, DeWine, and other officials, “The combination between Norfolk Southern’s greed and incompetence and their lack of concern for residents is absolutely unacceptable.”
Shapiro stated that his administration referred a criminal complaint against Norfolk Southern to Pennsylvania’s attorney general. DeWine confirmed that the Ohio attorney general has launched an investigation.
EPA has said that it has tested the indoor air quality in 550 homes, while outside air is monitored by aircraft, mobile vans, and stationary instruments.
Regan admitted that he was not certain if the EPA tests for dioxin (a carcinogen), as some legislators and advocates have requested.
Under the “Superfund” law, EPA can order those who are responsible for contamination to clean up. EPA has the authority to fine the railway as much as $70,000 per day if work isn’t completed. EPA could also perform the work themselves if needed and charge Norfolk Southern three times its cost.
Separately on Tuesday, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg released a package of reforms and urged railroad operators to immediately take steps to improve safety.
Rubinkam reported on the situation from Northeastern Pennsylvania. Matthew Daly, an AP reporter in Washington, contributed to this report.