By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The U.S. Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement exceeding $310 million with Norfolk Southern Railway Company over the February 2023 toxic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
According to a joint announcement by the DOJ and EPA, the settlement includes measures to improve rail safety, funding for health monitoring and mental health services, long-term environmental monitoring, and a $15 million civil penalty. The settlement also mandates other actions to protect nearby waterways and drinking water resources.
“If the settlement is approved by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Norfolk Southern will be required to take measures to improve rail safety, pay for health monitoring and mental health services for the surrounding communities, fund long-term environmental monitoring, pay a $15 million civil penalty, and take other actions to protect nearby waterways and drinking water resources,” the announcement stated.
Together with other response costs and rail safety enhancements, Norfolk Southern estimates spending over $1 billion to address contamination and other harms caused by the derailment and improve rail safety and operations.
In April, Norfolk Southern agreed to pay $600 million in a class-action lawsuit settlement related to the derailment. The company has already spent over $1.1 billion on its response to the derailment, including more than $104 million in direct aid to East Palestine and its residents.
A resident of East Palestine, Wade Lovett, claimed his voice became high-pitched after the derailment and toxic explosion, with doctors attributing the change to chemicals in his body. Lovett stated, “My voice sounds like Mickey Mouse. My normal voice is low. It’s hard to breathe, especially at night. My chest hurts so much at night I feel like I’m drowning. I cough up phlegm a lot. I lost my job because the doctor won’t release me to go to work.”
The community expressed anger over the perceived lack of assistance from local officials and the Biden administration. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg faced criticism for his delayed visit to the area, which occurred a day after former President Donald Trump visited and provided aid to residents and first responders.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan emphasized the significance of the settlement, stating, “No community should have to experience the trauma inflicted upon the residents of East Palestine. That’s why President Biden pledged from the beginning that his Administration would stand with the community every step of the way. Today’s enforcement action delivers on this commitment, ensures the cleanup is paid for by the company, and helps prevent another disaster like this from happening again.”
Regan added, “Because of this settlement, residents and first responders will have greater access to health services, trains will be safer and waterways will be cleaner.”