Ohio sues Norfolk Southern over East Palestine train derailment

Ohio has filed a lawsuit against Norfolk Southern to ensure it pays for the cleanup and environmental damage caused by a fire train derailment on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border last month, the state’s attorney general said Tuesday.

The federal lawsuit also seeks to force the company to pay for groundwater and soil monitoring in the coming years and economic losses in East Palestine Village and surrounding areas, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said.

“The effects of this easily preventable accident will reverberate throughout Ohio for years to come,” Yost said.

No one was hurt in the February 3 crash, but half of East Palestine’s estimated 5,000 residents were forced to evacuate for several days when emergency services deliberately burned toxic chemicals in some of the derailed vehicles to prevent an uncontrolled explosion, leaving residents with lingering health problems. . Government officials say tests conducted last month found no dangerous levels of chemicals in the air or water in the area.

Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw apologized to Congress last week for the effects of the derailment in the area, but he made no specific commitment to pay for long-term health and economic damage.

So far, the railroad has pledged more than $20 million to help the Ohio community recover, and has also announced several voluntary safety updates.

Ohio Attorney General Indicates Cleanup Costs Will Be High

Norfolk Southern said Tuesday in response to the lawsuit that it is listening to the community’s concerns and plans to take additional steps to address some of them.

The railroad is working to establish a long-term medical compensation fund to protect home sellers if their property depreciates due to a derailment, as well as to improve drinking water protection, the statement said.

The lawsuit also asks the railroad to reimburse first responders and government agencies for the costs of responding to the disaster.

How much money the state is looking for remains to be seen because the response is ongoing, but Yost has made it clear the cost will be huge. “It was an epic disaster. Cleaning up will be costly,” he said.

Ohio officials met with Norfolk Southern on Monday and discussed several ways to help people in East Palestine, including stepping up water treatment operations in the village, Yost said.

The state’s attorney general said he was pleased that the railroad said it wanted to do the right thing and that the lawsuit ensures it keeps its promise.

Many in East Palestine remain resentful of the railroad and worried about what will become of the countryside.

These fears include concerns about their long-term health, the value of their homes, and the economic future for local businesses.