2023-09-21 01:04:59
(Norfolk Southern, Ohio senator and governor add comments in background) By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON, Sept 20 (Archyde.com) – U.S. President Joe Biden issued an executive order on Wednesday ordering the appointment of a disaster recovery coordinator for the Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern NSC.N derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, but has not declared a major disaster.
The White House said Wednesday that the federal coordinator would be named within five days and would “conduct a comprehensive assessment of needs not met by Norfolk Southern that may be eligible for federal assistance.”
The train caught fire and released more than a million gallons of hazardous materials and pollutants, sparking concerns about U.S. rail safety and calls for reforms in Congress.
The U.S. Department of Justice and the state of Ohio have both filed lawsuits against Norfolk Southern to recover costs related to the accident.
Norfolk Southern said Wednesday that it “is committed to repairing the damage in East Palestine and covering all costs related to the cleanup.” To date, the company has accrued $803 million in costs for the derailment.
The White House said Ohio’s request for a major disaster declaration remains open and could be approved at a later date. A spokesman for Ohio Governor Mike DeWine declined immediate comment, saying officials were reviewing Mr. Biden’s order.
Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown called Mr. Biden’s order a ‘late but welcome step’
Last month, the Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) said Norfolk Southern needed “significant improvements” in its safety culture and revealed the agency was considering enforcement measures. enforcement against the railroad on a number of issues, including track maintenance, inspection, repair practices and hours of service regulations.
In May, a U.S. Senate panel approved a bipartisan rail safety law that strengthens rules for trains carrying explosive substances, like the train operated by Norfolk Southern, but no further action has been taken.
A U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearing on the aftermath of the derailment is scheduled for Friday in eastern Palestine. Norfolk Southern Managing Director Alan Shaw will attend.
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