WASHINGTON, D.C. — It’s been more than six weeks since a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, but United States Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan said Friday the derailment site will not be cleaned up for another three months.
What You Need To Know
- The EPA estimates the East Palestine train derailment site will not be cleaned up until June
- Ohio U.S. Sen. JD Vance accused the Biden administration of slowing the cleanup effort, but the EPA administrator said that’s not true
- Administrator Michael Regan told reporters Friday that some state governments are declining to receive toxic waste shipments
- Ohio lawmakers want Norfolk Southern to strongly enforce contracts it has with the companies that are eligible to receive the waste
On a press call with reporters, Regan said approximately 6.8 million gallons of liquid waste and 5,400 tons of solid waste have been removed so far, but a lot remains.
Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) was at the site last week and filmed a video where he complained about the federal response.
“The Biden administration and the EPA is making it harder to get this stuff into licensed facilities where it can be properly disposed of,” Vance said.
During the press call, Regan pushed back. He said he has sent notices to Norfolk Southern’s CEO and EPA state partners across the country, reminding them they are legally obligated to help remove contaminated soil and water from East Palestine.
Regan insisted the EPA is doing everything it can.
“The only thing that EPA does is wait for Norfolk Southern to identify the facility, ensure it has a contract, and ensure that it is on our approved facilities list and then we give them a thumbs up,” he said. “EPA in no way, shape, form or fashion is impeding the progress of the cleanup of East Palestine.”
Regan said he feels Norfolk Southern could move faster to remove the waste, but he acknowledged that some state governments are declining to receive it, despite being legally obligated to do so.
Rep. Bill Johnson (R, OH-6) represents East Palestine and said Norfolk Southern has been transparent with him. He said he thinks the company wants to do the right thing.
“I believe they want to find a way to move this material. That being said, they’ve got to be aggressive with the contracts that they have,” Johnson told Spectrum News on Friday.
Rep. Emilia Sykes (D, OH-13) teamed up with Johnson last week to introduce a bipartisan rail safety bill to prevent future derailments.
While the legislation won’t affect the cleanup in East Palestine, she urged residents to continue pressuring elected leaders and Norfolk Southern for information about the waste removal.
“Do they feel that their water quality and air quality is truly safe? Do they feel like they can stay there and not worry about their long-term health risk?” Sykes told Spectrum News on Friday.
Regan said Norfolk Southern could face civil penalties and be referred to the Justice Department if it does not ensure all the toxic waste is removed in a timely manner.
On Wednesday, the railroad’s CEO will testify before another Senate committee alongside Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R), Vance, and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D).
