Ohio Governor says progress, not ‘fast enough,’ in cleanup following East Palestine train derailment

EAST PALESTINE — Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine visited East Palestine on Friday, the site of last month’s toxic train derailment.

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Norfolk Southern crews have removed about half of the contaminated soil and cleaned up almost 7 million gallons of contaminated water, according to the Environment Protection Agency.

“So, we’re seeing some more progress,” said DeWine. “But, never fast enough.”

The EPA said it will be cleaning up the toxic train derailment site for another three months but it could take longer depending on bad weather or changes to the site’s condition.

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DeWine also gave an update on the drinking water and air quality in East Palestine.

“Municipal drinking water tests continue to come back,” he said Friday. “We continue to see air testing around the community. Up to now, 616 indoor sites have been tested. The 23 stations around the village continue to show good, good, good results.”

The governor met with East Palestine High School government students with Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine and Ohio Congressman Bill Johnson.

DeWine said he will be back in East Palestine next week to talk about permanent medical facility.

We will continue updating this story.

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