Norfolk Southern CEO Visits Site of Ohio Toxic Train Crash
Vow that Norfolk Southern “will be working tirelessly every day to get East Palestine back on its feet as soon as possible,” Alan Shaw, the CEO of the company, visited an eastern Ohio village where a Norfolk Southern train was unable to keep up with its schedule on February 3. This caused toxic chemicals to be released into the atmosphere and ground.
“I am here to support the community,” Shaw stated this in a February 17th statement. “We know we will be judged by our actions, and we are taking this accountability and responsibility very seriously.”
Shaw sent an open letter to East Palestine residents in February 16.
“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 reached out to Norfolk Southern to express your worries, anger, and frustration.
“I hear you. We hear you.”
Shaw added: “[Norfolk Southern] will stay here for as long as it takes to ensure your safety and to help East Palestine recover and thrive.”
He stated that “crews are cleaning the site thoroughly, responsibly, and safely,” The company’s Family Assistance Center “is helping community members meet immediate needs.”
Shaw also announced, “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.
“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.”
Chemical Burns Dangerous
An eastbound train of 151 cars on the Norfolk Southern Railway was derailed in East Palestine on Feb. 3. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, (NTSB), “38 rail cars derailed, and a fire ensued which damaged an additional 12 cars.”
“There were 20 total hazardous material cars in the train consist—11 of which derailed,” An NTSB statement.
The immediate aftermath of the crash caused panic. To avoid an explosion, officials decided that five rail cars of vinyl chloride should be released and burned. The smoke billowed into the sky again, and it was a clear sign that there was no danger.
Vinyl chloride is a chemical used in the manufacture of PVC pipes and other products. This has attracted a lot attention. According to the National Cancer Institute, vinyl chloride has been associated with cancers of brain, liver, blood, lymphatic, and lungs.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sent a February 10th letter to Norfolk Southern, mentioning other potentially dangerous chemicals found in derailed tankers. It specifically mentions the presence ethylene glycol monobutylether and ethylhexylacrylate as well as isobutylene.
Trent Conaway, East Palestine Mayor told residents during a February 16 townhall that there were few options for addressing the chemical spillage following the crash.
“There were two options: We either detonate those tanks, or they detonate themselves,” Conaway spoke. “Yes, harmful chemicals went into the air. I am truly sorry, but that is the only option we had. If we didn’t do that, then they were going to blow up, and we were going to have shrapnel all across this town.”
According to NTSB, the reason for the derailment may be due to a mechanical problem with a railcar axle.
A Video clips NTSB reported that a wheel bearing was overheating shortly before the crash.
According to the NTSB, it anticipates releasing a preliminary report in about two weeks.
Norfolk Southern is not in attendance at Town Hall
Residents were frustrated at the town hall for what many called “unfair” treatment. “a lack of transparency.” Norfolk Southern representatives were initially scheduled to attend but the company pulled out of the event earlier in February.
“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,” A Norfolk Southern Statement explained.
“We wanted to also be available to give information about resources from the Family Assistance Center.
“At the exact same time, however, we also recognize that many are rightfully frustrated and angry right now. We are becoming increasingly worried about the physical danger to our employees and the community as a result of the increase in the likelihood of outside parties participating in this event.
“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.”
Federal and state officials repeatedly stated that tests have shown that water and air in East Palestine are safe.
Many East Palestine residents have reported headaches, skin rashes or bloody stool since the derailment.
According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, at least 3500 fish were killed by the chemical spillage in several creeks in East Palestine.
Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine urged East Palestine residents not to stay, calling it a matter of urgency “of life and death.”
A few days later, on February 8, he held a press conference to announce that the evacuation order was lifted and that residents could return home.
Minutes later, Norfolk Southern trains began their journey through East Palestine.
Multiple Lawsuits
Norfolk Southern is currently facing numerous lawsuits in connection to the East Palestine train derailment.
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D–Wash.) On February 17, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) announced that the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation would be investigating railroad companies’ handling of hazardous materials.
Cantwell wrote a letter asking for input from the CEOs at Union Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Canadian National.
DeWine, in a press conference on February 17, stated that Norfolk Southern would pay all costs for derailment damage. This includes future expenses if it becomes clear that toxic chemicals that were released have caused cancer and other diseases.
Pennsylvania Democrat Gov. Josh Shapiro also wrote a letter to railway informing it of his concerns regarding its handling of the aftermath.
Shapiro, the former Pennsylvania Attorney-General who was elected governor in January, specifically challenged Norfolk Southern’s handling the controlled burning.
Shapiro wrote that Norfolk Southern was provided. “inaccurate information and conflicting modeling about the impact of the controlled release that made protective action decision-making more difficult in the immediate aftermath of the derailment.”
The railway “failed to notify state and local response agencies initially of their intention to vent and burn all five cars containing vinyl chloride, rather than just the single car Norfolk Southern personnel identified originally,” He concluded.
The letter from the governor noted that Norfolk Southern was not included in the list. “immediately inform authorities as to the number of rail cars that contained dangerous chemicals” And that was what the company officials did not do. “explore or articulate alternative courses of action to their proposed vent and burn.”
Norfolk Southern announced on February 17 that it had paid over $2.2 million to 1,530 families and businesses in order to pay for evacuation expenses.
The railway offers a $1,000 offer “inconvenience” Anyone with an East Palestine ZIP code of 44413 should be contacted. Norfolk Southern stated that residents could still sue the company for damages in the future.
Donald Trump Jr. shared on Twitter the news that his father (ex-President Donald Trump) would be visiting East Palestine in February 22nd.
However, another town hall meeting is planned for this date. The time and place have yet to be announced.
On Feb. 17, the White House announced that President Joe Biden has no plans to visit East Palestine.
It is not known if representatives from Shaw or Norfolk Southern will attend the town hall meeting.
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