Gone are the days when the United States is being held up as an example for many other countries around the world. East Palestine, Ohio serves as a potent reminder of how government negligence and failed policy decisions can create disastrous outcomes. Nearly a month after a train derailment resulted in hazardous chemical spills, the EPA has finally released some information to the residents – it’s taken too long for this community to receive the help it deserves.
Daily Wire reports, approximately one month and 18 days ago, local and state authorities evacuated citizens within one mile of the derailment site and began a controlled burn of chemicals. Five train cars emitted massive black plumes of smoke that were visible throughout eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania, emitting vinyl chloride, a human carcinogen.
Now residents are being informed. EPA Administrator Michael Regan announced on Friday that a three-month cleanup period is needed for the chemical fallout and derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
In a social media post, Regan said Norfolk Southern, the rail company involved in the incident, has removed “nearly half” of the soil and 6,8 million gallons of liquid waste, as well as 5,400 tons of solid waste.
Last month, the EPA ordered Norfolk Southern to clean contaminated soil and water, reimburse the EPA for cleaning services provided to residents and businesses, and attend meetings to inform residents of the cleanup process. If Norfolk Southern neglects to adequately complete enumerated cleanup tasks, the agency will step in and conduct the necessary work, before seeking to force the firm to pay triple the cost.
A lawsuit against Norfolk Southern was filed earlier this week by the state of Ohio in federal court to hold the company financially responsible.
Here was the head of the EPA last month, Michael Reagan answering questions about water testing after they sent residents home.
Researchers from Texas A&M University and Carnegie Mellon University found that nine chemicals on the train are present in higher concentrations than normal in the air and water supply of the community, posing a long-term health risk to residents despite Regan’s assurance that the cleanup process would take three more months. In East Palestine, officials have repeatedly claimed that air and water are safe to consume.
The poor people of East Palestine have literally lived the most dangerous words ever uttered. Those words being, “we’re from the government and we’re here to help.” Every East Palestine resident should have been terrified when they heard those words from the head of the EPA. Long and behold, they are already patting themselves on the back for a job not even halfway done. Typical of this administration.
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