Ohio train derailment: ‘We will be here;’ EPA provides update on cleanup

EAST PALESTINE — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and East Palestine officials provided an update about the clean up efforts of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in Northeast Ohio, according to CBS affiliate WBKN in Youngstown.

>>NTSB: Crew got safety alert moments before East Palestine derailment

The EPA announced Tuesday it would take control of the cleanup.

Norfolk Southern must identify and clean up any contaminated soil and water resources, as well as pay for the costs of work performed by the EPA and reimburse the agency for additional cleaning, under a legally binding order.

“The company supplied Ohio EPA with their list of selected and utilized disposal facilities on February 23rd,” said Debra Shore, Regional Administrator, US EPA Region 5. “Moving forward, waste disposal plans, including disposal, location and transportation routes for contaminated waste, will be subject to Federal EPA review and approval. EPA will ensure that always disposed of in a safe and lawful manner at EPA certified facilities to prevent further release of hazardous substances and the impacts to communities.”

She said “everyone wants this contamination gone from the community.”

“They don’t want the worry and they don’t want the smell,” she said. “And we owe it to the people of East Palestine to move it out of the community as quickly as possible.”

>>NE Ohio train derailment: EPA marks end of ‘emergency’ phase, takes charge of cleanup

The EPA says it has not “seen any short term effects” and is continuing to monitor to be sure, according to Shore.

“We will be here until the residents of the larger community of East Palestine say that they’re ready to see us go,” she said.

East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway said while residents are concerned about this being a political chess game, they are happy with public officials coming into the area.

“I think we are being noticed,” he said.

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