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The US government on Tuesday ordered rail operator Norfolk Southern to clean up contaminated soil and water at the site of a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and to attend all public meetings with local residents.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered Norfolk Southern to submit a work plan for EPA approval to clean up associated with the February 3 derailment of a train loaded with toxic chemicals. The derailment caused a fire and sent a cloud of smoke over the city that forced thousands of residents to evacuate while the railway crew was exhausted and burned off chemicals.
“Let me be clear: Norfolk Southern will pay to clean up the mess it created and for the trauma it inflicted on this community,” EPA administrator Michael Regan said in a statement.
The EPA issued the order under the federal Environmental Response, Compensation, and Comprehensive Liability Act, which gives it the authority to force parties responsible for pollution to clean up.
Regan made a second trip on Tuesday to East Palestine, the site of the derailment.
Although no fatalities or injuries were reported, residents demanded answers about the health risks and blamed Norfolk Southern, state and federal officials for a lack of information about the accident.
The EPA requires companies to reimburse the agency for cleanup services they offer to residents and businesses and to participate in public meetings and post information online.
Residents were outraged last week when the train operator did not attend a town hall meeting.
About 50 freight cars derailed on the outskirts of East Palestine, near the Pennsylvania state line, causing ongoing environmental and health problems.
The derailment prompted an evacuation amid fears of a possible explosion from the smoldering wreckage.
Officials wanting to avoid the danger of an uncontrolled explosion chose to deliberately release and ignite toxic vinyl chloride from five rail cars, sending flames and black smoke billowing high into the sky.
That has people questioning the potential health impact for residents in the area and beyond, even as authorities continue to do their best to protect people.
Kasie and Nathaniel Locke describe the disruption and health impacts they have endured after a fiery train derailment caused a toxic chemical leak in East Palestine, Ohio, two weeks ago.
An EPA spokeswoman said the agency is now taking action because the incident has moved from the emergency phase to the remediation phase.
The agency will also create a “unified command structure” to coordinate cleanup-related efforts along with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Health and Human Services, Ohio EPA, Ohio Emergency Management Agency, Pennsylvania Department of Health and Human Services. Environmental Protection, also South Norfolk.
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