The US Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency have filed a lawsuit against railroad Norfolk Southern for environmental damage caused by a train derailment on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border in February, leading to the evacuation of half of the 5,000 residents of East Palestine, Ohio. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said the government is seeking to hold the company accountable for the pollution and to ensure it pays for the full cost of the environmental cleanup.
Posts tagged as “The Environmental Protection Agency”
Three barges carrying methanol, soy, and corn broke free from their tugboat on the Ohio River in Louisville, Kentucky, and are now pinned against the McAlpine Dam site. Louisville Emergency Management has said that there is no evidence of a tank breach or any leaks, and crews are currently working to remove the barges from the river. The cause of the barges breaking free is still unknown, and the public has been urged to stay away from the area.
The EPA has proposed a new regulation to limit the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water, setting legally enforceable levels for six manufactured chemicals that are known to contaminate drinking water and pose significant health risks. The proposed regulation would require public water systems to monitor the chemicals and alert the public if the chemicals exceed the maximum contaminant levels. The proposed regulation is part of the Biden administration's efforts to reduce harmful chemicals in drinking water and provide much-needed clarity and protection for drinking water supplies across the country.
The EPA has announced that Norfolk Southern will be required to test the site of a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio for dioxins and to conduct a background study comparing dioxin levels in the area to other areas. If dioxins that pose an unacceptable risk to human health and the environment are found, the EPA will order an immediate cleanup of the area. Residents in the area have reported illnesses they believe stem from the crash and the EPA has said it will oversee any possible cleanup.
Residents of East Palestine, Ohio are still demanding answers from environmental officials after a train derailment caused toxic fumes to spread across the area. The EPA and CDC are conducting home re-entry screenings and air monitoring, and have reported no exceedances for residential air quality standards. The CDC is also committed to targeting any resident who may be affected by the incident and providing resources and support.
Residents of East Palestine, Ohio, have been concerned about the safety of their water supply since a train derailment in July caused several cars containing chemicals to spill. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and local and state leaders have said that the water supply is safe to drink, but residents remain concerned and are calling for further testing and monitoring. The Ohio EPA has said that it is continuing to monitor the situation and will take any necessary action to protect public health.
Norfolk Southern, a major freight railroad company, has announced a new agreement with unionized track maintenance workers that will provide them with four paid sick days a year and removes a stipulation that required 48-hour notice before taking personal days. The agreement follows a derailment of one of its trains earlier this month and is part of the company's commitment to improving the quality of life of its workers. Negotiations are also underway to offer paid sick leave to other unionized workers, such as locomotive engineers and conductors.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will visit East Palestine, Ohio, on Thursday to discuss the recent train derailment and the EPA's legally binding order to Norfolk Southern, the company responsible for the incident. The order requires the company to clean up the mess and pay for the fallout, and Buttigieg has called on rail companies to prioritize safety and worker care.