The federal government has agreed to a $15 million fine for Norfolk Southern over last year's disastrous derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
The railroad also promised to pay more than $300 million to complete the efforts to improve safety and address community health concerns.
In addition to the civil penalty, Norfolk Southern agreed to reimburse EPA an additional $57 million in response costs and set up a $25 million health care fund to pay for 20 years of medical exams in the community.
The railroad will also pay $25 million to $30 million for long-term monitoring of drinking water and groundwater.
Many East Palestine residents feel this settlement doesn't do nearly enough to a company that just reported a $527 million profit in the fourth quarter of last year.
“From day one, it was important for Norfolk Southern to make things right for the residents of East Palestine and the surrounding areas,” said Alan H. Shaw, president and CEO of Norfolk Southern in a statement. “We are pleased we were able to reach a timely resolution of these investigations that recognizes our comprehensive response to the community’s needs and our mission to be the gold standard of safety in the rail industry. We will continue keeping our promises and are invested in the community’s future for the long-haul.”