Finally! Biden signs executive order to ‘hold Norfolk Southern accountable’ for Ohio train derailment and address any ‘long-term effects’ of the disaster

President Joe Biden finally took steps to hold Norfolk Southern accountable for the devastating train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, a full six months after the Feb. 3 disaster spilled toxic chemicals in the city.

The rail industry has been in the spotlight since the crash, which occurred close to the Pennsylvania border and prompted evacuations, health concerns, a massive cleanup and calls for reform.

Bidens new executive order will end Ohio’s major disaster emergency declaration related to the derailment. The president has not yet visited the city despite promising to do so in March, claiming earlier this month that he was “too busy” to make the trip.

The order will “ensure that Norfolk Southern continues to be held accountable for this disaster, to address the long-term consequences of the disaster, and to ensure that federal assistance is available to affected communities if needs develop that Norfolk Southern is not meeting ‘. according to the White House.

The order also appoints a federal disaster recovery coordinator to handle long-term cleanup in eastern Palestine. The coordinator will ensure Norfolk Southern meets its “obligations to the community.”

“The coordinator will also work with federal, state and local governments, the private sector and voluntary, faith-based and community-based organizations supporting the recovery,” the order reads.

The Environmental Protection Agency is still working to remove contaminated soil and wastewater from the area.

The EPA is responsible for ensuring that Norfolk Southern complies with the White House order.

“Going forward, EPA will provide the President with an updated report every 60 days until all cleanup, assessment, and monitoring work required by the EPA order is completed,” the White House statement on the order said.

Additionally, the order will force the Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC to submit public health test results to Biden.

The Ministry of Transportation, meanwhile, will report to Biden on the train situation in Eastern Palestine.

Commenting on the bill, Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown said, “This is an overdue but welcome step to support the people of East Palestine.”

The White House has been under constant criticism for Biden’s failure to visit East Palestine. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and EPA Administrator Michael Regan have made multiple trips to the affected area.

On Monday, Norfolk Southern announced new details about its plan to compensate East Palestine residents for lost home values ​​since the derailment.

The railroad’s program will undoubtedly be welcomed by some people who want to sell their homes and leave the city rather than face ongoing health problems.

But some critics say the railroad should do more to address these health problems, instead of worrying so much about the area’s economic recovery.

And the details are still preliminary, as the Ohio Attorney General’s office is still negotiating an agreement that will create a long-term fund to compensate homeowners, along with two other funds to pay for any health or water pollution problems that arise later occur.

The Attorney General’s Office said it is not clear when these funds will be finalized due to all the unanswered questions at this stage.

The railroad already estimates that the cleanup will cost more than $800 million, including the $74 million that Norfolk Southern has committed to East Palestine to help the city recover.

That total will continue to grow as cleanup efforts continue, funding is finalized and various lawsuits are filed. The railroad will also receive compensation from its insurers and likely from other companies involved in the derailment.

“This is another step in fulfilling our promise to East Palestine to make things right. Norfolk Southern is steadfast in meeting our commitments, including protecting the community’s home values,” said CEO Alan Shaw, who works to improve rail safety.

“This program aims to give homeowners the reassurance they need.”

Regulators say Norfolk Southern has made improvements since a fiery derailment in Ohio but still falls far short of being the ‘gold standard for safety’

Several residents said urinalysis tests revealed at least trace amounts of vinyl chloride in their systems, raising fears about possible long-term health problems, including an increased risk of cancer.

The new program will pay homeowners in East Palestine and the surrounding area about five miles around the derailment the difference between the appraised market value of their homes and the sales price.

But if they accept compensation through the program, homeowners must forgo claims for property damage that they could ultimately collect as part of one of the lawsuits against the railroad.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican, praised the railroad for following through on commitments it made in the spring. “I plan to keep the pressure on Norfolk Southern to make things right for the community,” he said.

J.D. Vance, one of Ohio’s U.S. senators who proposed a package of rail safety reforms after the derailment that still needs to be voted on, said he remains skeptical of Norfolk Southern.

“My expectations that they will deliver on their promises are low,” said Vance, a Republican. “I will continue to hold the railroad and its supporters in Congress accountable for the promises they made to Ohioans.”