The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an administrative order (Section 106 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) known as Superfund. It requires Norfolk Southern Railroad (NSR) to perform all cleanup actions associated with response activities. Which is related to a February 3 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
The derailment released crude oil into fields and streams in Stark County and into a tributary of the Tuscarawas River. With this action today, EPA also is requiring NSR to reimburse EPA for cleaning services it will provide residents and businesses. They are in need of further reassurance that their water supply is safe. EPA will hold meetings that the company will have to attend. All information will be found online about cleanup activities performed by itself or its contractors.
EPA orders Norfolk Southern to Conduct All Cleanup
The order was issued after EPA determined that Norfolk Southern Corporation failed to follow through with initial cleanup efforts at its facilities in East Palestine and Marietta, Ohio. EPA is requiring that all parties involved with this incident immediately implement plans for the removal of contaminated soil from these sites and continue until all material is removed or treated appropriately so it poses no threat to human health or the environment.
Norfolk Southern Railroad Corporation (NSR) to reimburse EPA for cleaning services
With this action, the EPA also is requiring Norfolk Southern Railroad Corporation (NSR) to reimburse them for cleaning services it will provide residents and businesses in need of further reassurance that their water supply is safe.
EPA staff and contractors will conduct the cleaning services, which include:
- Flushing out household plumbing systems.
- Replacing filters on faucets and shower heads, or installing new ones if needed.
- Removing sediment from water heaters.
- Providing bottled water as necessary; assessing wells for any contamination issues.
- Advising people on how best to use their well water safely.
- Recommending corrective actions where needed; taking samples from wells for testing at a certified laboratory.
- Providing technical guidance on other potential sources of contamination such as septic systems or agricultural activities near private wells not serviced by public systems like those run by NSR itself.
EPA will hold meetings that the company will have to attend and post the information online.
If a company is not compliant with EPA, it will be subjected to penalties. The amount of these penalties depends on how serious the violation was and whether or not it was intentional.
When an agency has authority over business activities, what can it require of them? For example: Can they require businesses to attend public meetings at their request?
Yes! This means that EPA wants all businesses in certain industry sectors involved in discussions about new regulations affecting them all. They may send out invitations for separate events where each business representative can speak about their needs and concerns individually before joining together again as a group later on down the road. During other public forums, everyone will get an opportunity to say their piece once more before finalizing anything officialize by lawmaking bodies like Congress or state legislatures.
Written By Agustin Perez
Sources:
EPA: EPA Orders Norfolk Southern to Conduct All Cleanup Actions Associated with the East Palestine Train Derailment
NPR: EPA tells Norfolk Southern to temporarily stop shipping toxic train derailment waste
WTAE: U.S. EPA orders Norfolk Southern to pause waste removal from train derailment
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