A coordinator appointed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency will oversee long-term recovery efforts in East Palestine after the train derailment and chemical spill left the community struggling with cleanup and the monitoring of water, soil and air eight months later.
Wednesday’s executive order by President Joe Biden directing FEMA to appoint a Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator also includes steps to ensure Norfolk Southern Railroad continues to meet its obligations to remedy the damage caused Feb. 3, when about 50 cars, including 10 carrying hazardous materials, derailed in a fiery crash.
East Palestine train derailment:Toxic chemicals being burned off in ‘controlled release’
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, called the order “overdue but welcome.”
“There is still much more work to do to make this community whole and I will continue to push the administration to deliver for East Palestine and hold Norfolk Southern accountable,” he said.
U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes, D-Akron, called on the House to pass a railroad safety reform measure she has introduced.
“Thankfully, President Biden announced additional actions today to help ensure residents of East Palestine can access critical federal resources that will aid their recovery, but Congress still must act. Americans can’t wait any longer — we must pass the Rail Act now to protect communities across the nation from future train derailments.”
