WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nearly two weeks after a train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, community members are trying to figure out next steps.
What You Need To Know
- After a train derailment in East Palestine, how state and federal leaders are responding is being scrutinized
- Members of Ohio’s congressional delegation are demanding answers from federal agencies charged with investigating the derailment and monitoring the air and water quality in the aftermath
- Spectrum News spoke with Rep. Bill Johnson, who represents East Palestine, after he toured the derailment site
- Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown said he plans to visit the site in the coming days
A growing focus is on the response by state and federal leaders, along with the rail company Norfolk Southern.
U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson (R, OH-6) was back in his district Monday to tour the site of the derailment that has upended life as usual.
Despite the large scene and serious cleanup effort underway, Johnson called it a miracle that there were no lives lost or serious structural damage.
“That track goes right through the center of East Palestine. Lots of buildings and structures on both sides of the railroad track going through there. None of those buildings had any significant damage. None of them. It’s remarkable,” Johnson told Spectrum News in an interview Tuesday afternoon.
The evacuation order was lifted, but concerns remain over the quality of the air and water after Norfolk Southern conducted a controlled release of the hazardous chemicals being stored in some of its rail cars.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is probing what led the train to derail, while the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is investigating the ecological impact.
On Wednesday, Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown (D) and JD Vance (R) sent a letter to the EPA administrator expressing concern about the release of hazardous materials into the air and water.
Separately, Vance joined Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (R) in sending a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg requesting information on how the Department of Transportation conducts oversight of the nation’s freight train system.
In his interview with Spectrum News, Johnson explained the fluidity of the situation.
“We don’t know what we don’t know. And we don’t know that we’re not going to find something as these tests continue,” he said.
Johnson said round-the-clock air tests have, so far, found no red flags.
While residents with well water are asked to get a test done and continue drinking bottled water in the meantime, he said residents hooked up to the village’s water system are in the clear, for now.
“That water is being continually tested by the same people that test their water routinely, so it’s not like it’s somebody from the outside,” Johnson said.
On Tuesday, Johnson wrote a letter to the CEO of Norfolk Southern to ask the company to consider expanding who qualifies for financial reimbursement and to explain how it determined the one-mile evacuation perimeter that was originally in place.
The train company has so far distributed $1 million in aid, but more will likely be needed.
Spectrum News asked Johnson if he thinks Norfolk Southern will be open to what he’s asking, based on his interactions with the company.
“Look, they have not been negative with me at all. They’ve been very forthcoming,” he said.
Johnson added, “The evacuation zone was just a mile from the epicenter. What happens to people that live 1.1 miles? 1.2 miles? You know, who’s going to look after them?”
Sen. Brown told Spectrum News he plans to visit the derailment site in the coming days. He wants Congress to reassess federal train safety rules. He also feels Norfolk Southern should cover all costs associated with the recovery.
“They are responsible. The question is, did they follow federal law? And are those federal laws and federal rules strong enough?” Brown told Spectrum News on Tuesday.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) said Tuesday that the train was not considered a “high hazardous material train” because not every train car was carrying chemicals, so state officials were not notified ahead of time that it would travel through Ohio.
Johnson said his office is investigating why.
Johnson and Vance have criticized Buttigieg for what they say is his lack of response to the derailment. A spokesperson for Buttigieg said the DOT is working closely with the EPA and NTSB, the agencies leading the investigation.
At a press conference Tuesday, DeWine was asked about the Biden administration’s response.
“Look, the president called me and said, ‘Anything you need.’ I have not called him back after that conversation. I will not hesitate to do that if we are seeing a problem or anything, but I’m not seeing it,” DeWine said.
Johnson said the EPA runs a program called a superfund that could allocate federal dollars to help East Palestine, but it’s too early to know what Norfolk Southern will be held liable for.
According to Brown’s office, residents who would like to request air monitoring at their home can call the residential re-entry request hotline at 330-849-3919.
Those who remain evacuated and need help can call the Norfolk Southern Family Assistance Center at 800-230-7049.
