‘I’ll Save A Seat For You’: Ohio Congressman Says It Is ‘Past Time’ Buttigieg Hears Out Residents Harmed By Train Crash

Ben ZeisloftFebruary 15, 2023

Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) invited Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg A town hall meeting will be held Wednesday night about the train derailment In East Palestine OhioThe official stated that they have not heard from the affected people.

Local and state authorities evacuated all residents within a mile of the crash site. started To reduce the chance of an explosion, a controlled burning of volatile chemicals is recommended. Vinyl chloride, which is a carcinogen used in the manufacture of PVC, was released last week from five train cars and formed massive plumes visible across eastern Ohio, Pennsylvania.

Johnson, whose district also includes East Palestine, suggested to Buttigieg to attend the town hall, where residents will hear from officials regarding the disaster. “I’ll save a seat for you,” He Telled Social media was a major focus of the Democratic presidential candidate in 2008. “It’s past time you hear the concerns of residents affected by the train derailment.”

Others lawmakers, such as Senator J.D. Vance (R.OH). Contended East Palestinian residents are the victims of misplaced priorities by officials such as Buttigieg. They didn’t address the train crash more than a week after it happened. However, he was able to speak at the National Association of Counties Conference Monday to discuss issues such as racial equality in the construction sector.

“We have had hundreds of train derailments after we spent over $1 trillion on infrastructure in this country, so the fact that this isn’t getting obviously better is a major indictment of the people spending the money and what they’re spending the money on,” Vance commented during an interview on Fox News with Tucker Carlson. “Now we know, if you listen to Secretary Buttigieg today, that they are focused more on whether we have too many white men in construction jobs than he is on the fundamentals of his job, which is ensuring we have a viable transportation infrastructure in this country.”

According to a report, Norfolk Southern has provided financial assistance to more than 1,000 households in the evacuation zone. The amount was more than $1.5 Million. Press release The company. Johnson observed in a Letter Alan Shaw, CEO Norfolk Southern, said that families who moved from beyond the one mile radius were not eligible for compensation. “These concerned citizens are upset that they are not able to be reimbursed because they live just outside of the evacuation zone,” The lawmaker wrote. “The men and women I represent are rightfully concerned about their air, soil, and water being contaminated by harmful toxins.”

Norfolk Southern has released vinyl chloride. Beware According to the EPA, a number other volatile chemicals were found at the scene of the derailment. One train car that contains ethylene glycol monobutylether has been identified. “unknown status,” Norfolk Southern states that while the amount ethylhexylacrylate is still present in other cars, it is not enough to cause any harm. “pending.” After residents were informed that they could return home, the EPA published the complete list of substances at the site.

Governor Josh Shapiro (D-PA) revealed Norfolk Grumman allegedly provided opaque information to emergency authorities on Tuesday. “failed to explore all potential courses of action, including some that may have kept the rail line closed longer but could have resulted in a safer overall approach for first responders, residents, and the environment.”