Congressman Chris Deluzio Calls on Norfolk Southern to Expand Assistance and Fully Comply with EPA Cleanup Order in Pennsylvania
ASPINWALL, PA – Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio wrote to Norfolk Southern’s President and CEO Alan Shaw, urging an expansion of the area in which Norfolk Southern is providing assistance. Echoing concerns voiced by Congressman Bill Johnson, who represents East Palestine, Ohio, Congressman Deluzio asked Mr. Shaw to explain the reasoning behind and reconsider expansion of the current evacuation perimeter in Pennsylvania.
The letter reads: “Every day, I hear from my constituents in Darlington Township and across Beaver County, Pennsylvania, who continue to have concerns about their health and safety due to the derailment and chemical fire…Today, February 22, 2023, my office called the Norfolk Southern Family Assistance Center to inquire whether your company is providing any support for affected Pennsylvania residences and businesses outside of the evacuation zone. Not only did the Assistance Center support staff confirm that Norfolk Southern is providing nothing to these residences and businesses, but they also did not have any resources or contacts for affected Pennsylvanians—even within the evacuation perimeter.”
Further, after traveling to East Palestine yesterday with EPA Administrator Michael Regan, Governor Shapiro, and Ohio officials, Congressman Deluzio wrote to demand commitments from Mr. Shaw to conduct Norfolk Southern’s cleanup actions throughout the affected areas of Pennsylvania. Specifically, he requested answers to the following questions related to the EPA’s new order, which was announced yesterday.
- Will you commit to identifying and cleaning up contaminated soil and water resources in Pennsylvania up to 30 miles outside of the evacuation zone?
- If not up to 30 miles, how far can you extend the zone and by what date?
- Will you reimburse the EPA for cleaning services for all Pennsylvania residents and businesses that the EPA or Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection determines have been affected by the Norfolk Southern train derailment?
- Will you commit to attending and participating in public meetings focused on the effects of the train derailment on Pennsylvanians and our environment?
The letter further reads, “...Norfolk Southern is failing to show any commitment to rebuilding lost trust in our community. Providing the resources mentioned above would help your company restore the sense of security that the Norfolk Southern train derailment and its aftermath destroyed.”
This letter follows Congressman Deluzio’s joint letter with Senator Casey, Senator Fetterman, and members of the Ohio congressional delegation, urging Norfolk Southern to step up and answer for their train’s derailment in East Palestine. To date, Norfolk Southern has not responded to the questions in the letter.
Congressman Deluzio’s office is maintaining and updating a resource page on his website for the awareness of constituents and the public, and urges constituents reach out to his office with concerns, comments, or testing assistance.
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