EAST PALESTINE, Ohio – Monday marked the second anniversary of the Norfolk Southern Railway derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
Politicians, including Vice President Kamala Harris, former Ohio U.S. Senator J.D. Vance, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, visited the Northeast Ohio village.
Vance had previously backed the Railway Safety Act of 2023 to enhance rail safety through increased fines and more defect detectors. Despite significant attention, Congress did not pass the legislation.
On the eve of the anniversary, East Palestine and Norfolk Southern announced a $22 million settlement related to the derailment, which the village plans to use for local priorities. Norfolk Southern has already contributed $13.5 million since the derailment, and the Atlanta-based railroad also settled a $600 million class action lawsuit.
As part of the settlement, the proposed regional safety training center was deemed “not feasible. Norfolk Southern will train East Palestine’s first responders at other facilities.
The railroad will also transfer about 15 acres of land for village use.
Meanwhile, a new lawsuit claims that some people died due to the derailment, marking the first time such allegations have been made.
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