The EPA has issued its demands to Norfolk Southern as cleanup continues from the train derailment in East Palestine.
In East Palestine Tuesday - EPA Administrator Michael Regan said Norfolk Southern will be required to remove all of the contamination from the train derailment, pay for that removal, attend public meetings and create an EPA approved work plan.
“If the company fails to complete any action ordered by EPA, the agency will immediately step in, conduct the work ourselves and then force Norfolk Southern to pay triple in cost accordance to the powers granted by my agency,” said Regan. “In no way, shape or form will Norfolk Southern get off the hook for the mess that they created.”
Reagan is also encouraging Norfolk Southern to attend any public meetings.
Leaders in both Pennsylvania and Ohio committed to continued air and water testing in impacted areas, though tests so far have shown no signs of danger.
Governor Josh Shaprio said the response by Norfolk Southern has been unacceptable.
“Norfolk Southern injected unnecessary risk into this crisis, when they created confusion in this process,” said Shapiro.
Norfolk Southern say it remains in East Palestine and has put $5.6 million into the response so far.