On Tuesday, the EPA issued an order mandating that Norfolk Southern cover the costs associated with cleaning up the hazardous train disaster site in East Palestine, Ohio.
Only days before, Breitbart News revealed that Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had written a letter to the company’s CEO expressing his unhappiness with the company’s reaction thus far.
Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw reportedly told reporters at the disaster site that the company will do all in its power to improve the community’s long-term health and transform it into a “safer railroad.”
Under the federal Superfund statute, the EPA was empowered to demand that Norfolk Southern use all feasible steps for cleaning up the polluted air and water.
According to the AP story, the document also said that the corporation would be responsible for paying back the federal government for a new program that would offer cleaning services to affected individuals and businesses.
At a press conference in East Palestine, EPA Administrator Michael Regan promised that efforts will be made to eliminate the pollution that has engulfed the neighborhood. He elaborated by saying
Norfolk Southern will cover the costs associated with fixing the damage they caused and comforting the residents who have been through so much because of them.
I realize that this order won’t be able to undo the tragedy that locals have been suffering through, but it will be a step toward delivering the justice that Norfolk Southern has so desperately avoided up until now.
He threatened that the government would do the job itself and increase the damages if the rail business disobeyed.
Even as fundamental transport infrastructure across the country continues to fail on President Joe Biden’s watch, the EPA intended to reveal further details on the cleanup service for homeowners and businesses, which it claimed would “give an extra layer of security.”
According to the agency, the “emergency” stage of the disaster that occurred on February 3 has ended, and long-term cleanup has begun with the issuance of this order.
The CEO of Norfolk Southern, Alan Shaw, has promised again to revitalize the area and make investments in the local economy. He did not elaborate on the specifics or provide a time frame.