176 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

SCNOW, 2/13/23:
 

 

 Train derailment prompts water utility to take precautions  

 

 

A West Virginia water utility is enhancing its water treatment process as a precaution following the derailment of a train hauling chemicals that later sent up a toxic plume in Ohio.

 

Story

[CNJRoss]

Norfolk Southern news release

 

Norfolk Southern establishes $1 million fund to support East Palestine community

 

 

ATLANTA, Feb. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) today announced it is creating a $1 million charitable fund to be available immediately as one component of its planned support for the community of East Palestine, Ohio. The company will work with state and local leaders to identify where the donations can do the most good.

 

"We are committed to East Palestine today and in the future," said Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan Shaw. "We will be judged by our actions. We are cleaning up the site in an environmentally responsible way, reimbursing residents affected by the derailment, and working with members of the community to identify what is needed to help East Palestine recover and thrive."

 

Shaw continued, "This fund allows Norfolk Southern to move quickly to meet their immediate needs. We anticipate making further charitable contributions in East Palestine as conversations continue with local leaders and members of the community." 

 

The contribution will supplement other efforts to support residents, businesses, and first responders, which include:

• Distributing more than $1.2 million in financial assistance to nearly 900 families and a number of businesses to cover costs related to the evacuation. Those include reimbursements and cash advancements for lodging, travel, food, clothes, and other related items.
• Reimbursed the East Palestine Fire Department $220,000 to replace Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) air packs, which allow firefighters to breathe compressed air when responding to fires.
• Providing more than 100 air purifiers for residents to use in their homes. Air purifiers are also being purchased for the East Palestine municipal building in coordination with the City Manager.
• Coordinating and funded cleaning and air monitoring services for the East Palestine Elementary and High Schools.
• Completing more than 400 in-home air tests in conjunction with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In-home air monitoring has not detected substances related to the incident and does not indicate a health risk.

 

 

[CNJRoss]

FOX News, 2/14/23

 

Ohio train derailment: Gov. Mike

DeWine says it's 'absurd' cargo wasn't

considered 'high hazardous material'

 

The EPA is offering home screenings for residents in the area

 

 

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said it's "absurd" that the train which derailed on Feb. 3 in East Palestine wasn't classified as "high hazardous material," and is calling on Congress to take action.

 

A train with 50 cars, 10 of them carrying vinyl chloride, derailed in East Palestine on Feb 3. The incident caused hazardous chemicals to spill onto the ground, and also sent a plume of smoke high into the air.

 

DeWine said on Tuesday that the train wasn't considered a "high hazardous material train" because most of the rail cars didn't contain hazardous material, while some did.

 

"I learned today from the [Public Utilities Commission of Ohio] that this train was not, it was not considered high hazardous material train. Let me repeat this. This train apparently was not considered a high hazardous material train. Therefore, the railroad was not required to notify anyone here in Ohio about what was in the rail cars coming to our state," DeWine said.

 

 

Continue here.

[KevinKorell]

New York, NY Post, 2/10/23:

 

    Animals falling sick, dying near hellish Ohio train derailment site    

 

 

Animals are falling sick and dying near the site of a hellish Ohio train derailment last Friday which released toxic chemicals into the air, according to reports — sparking fears of the potential health impacts the crash could have on humans.

 

Story

[CNJRoss]

TRIBLive, 2/15/23

 

Lawsuit: Thousands of Western Pa. residents at risk after Ohio train derailment

 

 

A class-action lawsuit alleges the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment and subsequent controlled burn of hazardous chemicals could have an adverse effect on the health of thousands of Western Pennsylvanians.

 

In the suit, two Beaver County men say they want Norfolk Southern Railway to pay for the medical monitoring of everyone who lives or works within a 30-mile radius of the Ohio village.

 

 

Continue here. 

[CNJRoss]

Reuters 2/14/23

 

Ohio cleaning up toxic train derailment as pollution 'plume' moves downstream

 

 

Feb 14 (Reuters) - Cleanup is moving quickly after a train carrying toxic materials derailed in Ohio 11 days ago, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said on Tuesday, while residents and observers questioned the health impacts of pollution that spilled into the Ohio River.

 

The Norfolk Southern Railroad-operated train derailed on Feb. 3, causing a fire that sent a cloud of smoke over the town of East Palestine, Ohio, and forcing thousands of residents to evacuate. After railroad crews drained and burned off a toxic chemical from five tanker cars, DeWine on Feb. 8 said that residents could return to their homes.

 

While DeWine said the pollution did not pose a serious threat to five million people who rely on the river for drinking water, he and several Ohio health and environmental officials cautioned at an afternoon press conference that residents using private wells near the derailment should only use bottled water.

 

Reporters pressed DeWine and other officials about some residents' complaints of headaches and concern that the government or the railroad were not telling them the entire truth about the pollution and potential harm.

 

 

Continue here. 

[KevinKorell]

With all that is going on following the derailment and fire, one can wonder if the brief exposure to passengers and crew when the Capitol Limited passes through town should be a point of concern.

[CNJRoss]

Trains News Wire

 

Citing ‘physical threat,’ Norfolk Southern withdraws from East Palestine town hall meeting

 

February 15, 2023

 

Event intended to offer residents a chance to address concerns with officials

 

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — Norfolk Southern announced earlier today it would not take part in tonight’s scheduled town hall meeting on the East Palestine derailment, citing concerns about “a growing physical threat.”

 

SNIP

 

“At the same time, we know that many are rightfully angry and frustrated right now. Unfortunately, after consulting with community leaders, we have become increasingly concerned about the growing physical threat to our employees and members of the community around this event stemming from the increasing likelihood of the participation of outside parties. With that in mind, Norfolk Southern will not be in attendance this evening.”

 

 

More here. 

[CNJRoss]

WEWS-TV News 5 leveland, OH 2/15/23

 

Norfolk Southern officials skip East Palestine informational meeting following train derailment

 

Residents share health and safety concerns during amended meeting format

 

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — City officials and residents of East Palestine attended a packed informational meeting Wednesday evening to discuss the ongoing cleanup efforts following a train derailment on Feb. 3, but Norfolk Southern said its representatives will not attend due to the "growing physical threat" to employees.

 

SNIP

 

Norfolk Southern's entire statement can be read below:

Today, we hoped to join local, state, and federal officials at a town hall to update the East Palestine community on the steps we are taking to thoroughly, responsibly, and safely clean up the accident site and to provide the latest results from ongoing water and air testing. We also wanted to be available to provide information on resources from our Family Assistance Center.

At the same time, we know that many are rightfully angry and frustrated right now. Unfortunately, after consulting with community leaders, we have become increasingly concerned about the growing physical threat to our employees and members of the community around this event stemming from the increasing likelihood of the participation of outside parties. With that in mind, Norfolk Southern will not be in attendance this evening. We want to continue our dialogue with the community and address their concerns, and our people will remain in East Palestine, respond to this situation, and meet with residents.

We are not going anywhere. We are committed to East Palestine and will continue to respond to community concerns through our Family Assistance Center and our hotline for citizens to ask questions regarding return to home and health questions. We also plan to look for other opportunities to update residents on our actions over the coming days. We encourage all residents who have questions, concerns or need assistance to contact our Family Assistance Center at 800-230-7049.

Norfolk Southern

 

 

 

More here with video report. 

[CNJRoss]

Norfolk Southern news release

Alan Shaw: We will not walk away, East Palestine

 

ATLANTA, Feb. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) President and CEO Alan H. Shaw shared a letter today with the community of East Palestine, Ohio.

 

In the letter, Shaw said, "When I visited East Palestine last week, you told me how the train derailment has upended your lives and how concerned you are about the safety of your air, water, and land. Our work is underway. Crews are cleaning the site thoroughly, responsibly, and safely.

 

"Our Family Assistance Center is helping community members meet immediate needs. Together with local health officials, we have implemented a comprehensive testing program to ensure the safety of East Palestine's water, air, and soil. And we have established a $1 million community support fund as a down payment on our commitment to help rebuild," Shaw added.

 

The full text of Alan Shaw's letter follows below:

 

We will not walk away, East Palestine.

 

When I visited East Palestine last week, you told me how the train derailment has upended your lives and how concerned you are about the safety of your air, water, and land. Many of you have also reached out to Norfolk Southern to share your fears, your anger, and your frustration.

 

I hear you. We hear you.

 

I know you also have questions about whether Norfolk Southern will be here to help make things right.

 

My simple answer is that we are here and will stay here for as long as it takes to ensure your safety and to help East Palestine recover and thrive.

 

Our work is underway. Crews are cleaning the site thoroughly, responsibly, and safely. Our Family Assistance Center is helping community members meet immediate needs. Together with local health officials, we have implemented a comprehensive testing program to ensure the safety of East Palestine's water, air, and soil. And we have established a $1 million community support fund as a down payment on our commitment to help rebuild.

 

But our work is far from over. As we continue site clean-up, the NTSB moves forward with its investigation, and necessary environmental testing is carried out, I promise to keep you updated every step of the way.

 

I know there are still a lot of questions without answers. I know you're tired. I know you're worried. We will not let you down.

 

Alan H. Shaw

 

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