COLUMBUS – The Latest 1:36 p.m.: Federal environmental regulators have taken charge of the cleanup from the East Palestine train derailment and chemical burn and ordered Norfolk Southern to foot the bill.
The Environmental Protection Agency told Norfolk Southern to take all available measures to clean up contaminated air and water.
Regulators also said the company would be required to reimburse the federal government for a new program to provide cleaning services for impacted residents and businesses.
The EPA warned Norfolk Southern that if failed to comply with its order, the agency would perform the work itself and seek triple damages from the company.
7:30 a.m: The pressure is mounting on the nation’s railroads and regulators to tighten safety practices in the aftermath of a fiery train derailment in northeast Ohio that forced evacuations when toxic chemicals were released and burned.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg wants the nation’s freight railroads to immediately act to improve safety while regulators try to strengthen safety rules.
Buttigieg announced a package of reforms Tuesday — two days after he warned the railroad responsible for the derailment, Norfolk Southern, to fulfill its promises to clean up the mess just outside East Palestine and help the town recover. He said the Department of Transportation will hold the railroad accountable for any safety violations that contributed to the Feb. 3 crash near the Pennsylvania border.
“While ensuring the safety of those impacted by this crash is the immediate priority, we also have to recognize that this represents an important moment to redouble our efforts to make this far less likely to happen again in the future,” Buttigieg said.
Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, on CNN’s State of the Union blames lobbyists and companies like Norfolk Southern for pushing looser restrictions.
“They don’t invest in safety rules and safety regulations and this kind of thing happens,” he said. “That’s why people in East Palestine are so upset. They know that corporate lobbyists have had far too much influence in our government.”
Even though government data shows that derailments have declined in recent years, there were still 1,049 of them last year.
The head of the US EPA is due back in East Palestine today, along with Gov. Mike DeWine and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, to discuss the cleanup and efforts to keep people safe in the wake of a fiery train derailment that forced evacuations.
State and federal officials have reiterated that their testing of air and water samples in the area doesn’t show dangerous levels of any toxins, but some people have been complaining about constant headaches and irritated eyes as they worry about returning to their homes.
A health assessment clinic opens at noon Tuesday at a church in East Palestine for residents who have medical questions or concerns.