He the federal government filed a lawsuit on Thursday against Norfolk Southern, blaming the carrier for last month’s train derailment that allegedly contaminated waterways and air in northeast Ohio.
The United States Department of Justice, acting on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency, filed a civil complaint two weeks after the the state of Ohio also took similar steps against the railway giant.
No one was injured in the February 3 derailment that forced thousands to evacuate eastern Palestine for several days as toxic chemicals were released to prevent a possible explosion.
Federal authorities want a court to hold Norfolk Southern accountable «for illegally polluting the nation’s waterways and to ensure that it pays the full cost of environmental cleanup.» according to the complaintfiled in the US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
The Justice Department cited multiple alleged violations of the Clean Water Act in seeking fines against Norfolk Southern.
While tests have yet to find dangerous levels of chemicals in nearby water or air, many local residents have said they are worried about the long-term health implications of the derailment.
“As a result of this incident, hazardous materials became airborne and spilled onto the ground,” according to the complaint. «These substances contaminated local waterways and flowed miles downstream.»
A representative for Norfolk Southern said Friday that the company is working hard to «make things right» for residents of eastern Palestine and others who live near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border.
“Our job right now is to make progress every day in clearing the site, help the residents whose lives were affected by the derailment, and invest in the future of East Palestine and the surrounding areas,” the spokesperson for the derailment said in a statement. Norfolk Southern, Connor Spielmaker.
«We are working with urgency, under the direction of the US EPA, and making progress daily. That remains our focus and we will keep working until we get it right.»