EPA Administrator Quietly Postpones Africa Climate Change Trip With Idris And Sabrina Elba As Ohio Train Disaster Unfolds

Ben ZeisloftFebruary 21, 2023

EPA Administrator Michael Regan postponed the a Climate change Trip to Africa Celebrity couple Idris Sabrina Elba and the fallout from The train derailment Ohio, East Palestine

All residents within one mile radius of the February 3 train derailment were evacuated by local and state authorities. started A controlled burn of industrial chemicals was performed on the vehicle in order to reduce the possibility of an explosion. Five train cars emitted vinyl chloride, a known human cancergen, in massive plumes visible across eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania.

According to a report by a, Regan was originally scheduled to visit subsaharan Africa along with the Elbas. Report The Grio. A note from the editor is attached to the article’s top. It clarifies that Regan delayed the trip. “due to his department’s emergency response to the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which has caused environmental concerns for its residents.”

Idris Elba, who is of Ghanaian descent and whose father hails from Sierra Leone, was scheduled to visit the two countries with his wife Sabrina and the senior Biden administration official in order to observe the possible effects of climate change on the region. Sabrina Elba stated to the outlet that she had spoken with Regan (the first black leader at the EPA) about climate change and Africa during a summit held in Washington last year. “the good work that he’s doing and the plan he’s developed.”

Regan traveled to East Palestine last Wednesday as criticism mounted against President Obama for not paying enough attention to the crisis. On Tuesday, the EPA advised Norfolk Southern, the company involved in the derailment that it must comply with the EPA’s directives. Clean EPA to clean contaminated soil and water. The agency threatened to “immediately step in, conduct the necessary work, and then seek to compel Norfolk Southern to pay triple the cost” Failure to complete the required cleanup actions will result in a company being held responsible.

Regan told The Grio during his diplomatic mission that his agency would make several climate announcements. “They’re going to be serious investments. And it’s all based on the president’s leadership,” He spoke to the outlet. “We know that we can’t solve our national security problems, our climate problems, our economic challenges if we don’t have this globalized solution that the Elbas and the EPA are working on.”

The Biden administration’s directive that Norfolk Southern be responsible for cleaning up chemical spillages is the most aggressive.

“The Norfolk Southern train derailment has upended the lives of East Palestine families, and EPA’s order will ensure the company is held accountable for jeopardizing the health and safety of this community,” Regan stated this in a statement. “Let me be clear: Norfolk Southern will pay for cleaning up the mess they created and for the trauma they’ve inflicted on this community.”