Short Takes – 2-21-23 – Ohio Derailment Aftermath Issue – Part 2

Ohio train derailment raises more questions. CEN.ACS.org article. Pull quote: “Some have chosen to stay at a distance, at least until they have proper testing done on their homes. “If it were me, I would want to have the proper tests done,” Johns Hopkins’s DeCarlo says. “I have seen that EPA is screening houses. But from what I’m reading, the language being used, it sounds like they are using those handheld devices, which, again, are not chemically specific and don’t necessarily give an appropriate understanding of what risks may be there.””

Four rail-borne risks moving through American communities. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: ““Local communities don’t know what’s in these trains,” said Kristen Boyle, an attorney with public interest law firm Earthjustice. “Local communities can’t find out. They can’t stop the trains from going through, and they have been unable to get safety regulations.””

U.S. urges rail industry, Congress to boost safety measures after toxic derailment. Yahoo.com article. Pull quote: “Some rail safety requirements were withdrawn under President Donald Trump. Some Republican critics of the East Palestine response who previously opposed rail regulations have now expressed openness to new rules.”

EPA to require Norfolk Southern to clean up chemicals after Ohio train derailment. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “Under the newly announced EPA order, the agency will approve a work plan outlining the steps needed to clean up the environmental damage that the derailment caused. If Norfolk Southern doesn’t abide by the plan, the EPA will do the work and charge the company triple the cost.”

Buttigieg unveils freight rail reforms in wake of East Palestine derailment. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “The Department of Transportation will also begin a series of inspections of routes over which trains with large amount of hazardous material travel and advance a new rule requiring that at least two railroad staff be present for most operations.”

Buttigieg pushes Norfolk Southern to support higher rail safety standards. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “He added that Norfolk Southern and other railroad companies have spent millions of dollars in the courts and lobbying lawmakers to oppose increased safety regulation, noting several other train derailments that happened under Norfolk Southern’s watch.”