REP. SYKES COMMENDS EPA ORDER TO HOLD NORFOLK SOUTHERN ACCOUNTABLE FOR EAST PALESTINE TRAIN DERAILMENT CLEAN UP
EAST PALESTINE, OH— Today, U.S. Representative Emilia Strong Sykes (OH-13) joined U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan, Gov. Mike DeWine, Gov. Josh Shapiro, Rep. Bill Johnson (OH-06), Rep. Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Ohio EPA Director Anne Vogel, and Mayor Trent Conaway in East Palestine to announce the EPA has ordered Norfolk Southern to conduct all necessary actions associated with the cleanup from the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment. As part of EPA’s legally binding order, Norfolk Southern will be required to:
- Identify and clean up contaminated soil and water resources;
- Reimburse EPA for cleaning services to be offered to residents and businesses to provide an additional layer of reassurance, which will be conducted by EPA staff and contractors;
- Attend and participate in public meetings at EPA’s request and post information online; and
- Pay for EPA’s costs for work performed under this order.
“The scope, scale, and significance of the Norfolk Southern train derailment will affect the people of East Palestine and the region for years to come, and the entire community has been deeply impacted by the ecological disaster created in its wake,” said Rep. Sykes. “The action taken today by the EPA is a critical first step toward ensuring Norfolk Southern is held accountable. We will not allow the people of East Palestine and the surrounding areas to be forgotten, and we will continue to champion their needs in Washington.”
As part of the order, EPA will approve a workplan outlining all steps necessary to clean up the environmental damage caused by the derailment. If the company fails to complete any actions as ordered by EPA, the Agency will immediately step in, conduct the necessary work, and then seek to compel Norfolk Southern to pay triple the cost.
Rep. Sykes, the sole member of the Ohio delegation serving on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, sent a letter on Thursday to House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Chairman Troy Nehls (TX-22) and Ranking Member Donald Payne Jr. (NJ-10) requesting a hearing to investigate the East Palestine train derailment.