Norfolk Southern Corp.’s Chief Executive Officer Alan Shaw pledged that the company will ensure the safety of East Palestine, Ohio, after a Feb. 3 train derailment spilled chemicals in the middle of the small town.
(Bloomberg) — Norfolk Southern Corp.’s Chief Executive Officer Alan Shaw pledged that the company will ensure the safety of East Palestine, Ohio, after a Feb. 3 train derailment spilled chemicals in the middle of the small town.
“We are here and will stay here for as long as it takes to ensure your safety and to help East Palestine recover and thrive,” Shaw said in a letter.
Crews are cleaning up the site, and the railroad implemented a testing program for the water, air and soil, Shaw said. The company created a $1 million fund as a “down payment” to help rebuild the community of about 4,800.
Residents have raised concerns about whether it’s safe to return home after the 150-car train derailed, caught fire and spilled chemicals, including vinyl chloride. There were 20 chemical cars on the train.
Three days after the accident, authorities intentionally vented and burned five tank cars containing vinyl chloride as pressure built up in a measure designed to keep them from exploding on their own and ejecting chemicals and metal shards in all directions. The dramatic cloud of black smoke and fire that resulted sparked even more concerns.
“I know there are still a lot of questions without answers. I know you’re tired. I know you’re worried,” said Shaw, who visited the disaster site last week. “We will not let you down.”
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