Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., asks questions during a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing to examine protecting public health and the environment in the wake of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Washington.
Kevin Wolf, Associated Press
A Senate Committee hearing with Norfolk Southern allowed Republican and Democratic lawmakers to ask questions and receive answers from the train company responsible for a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3.
The train had multiple cars carrying hazardous materials, and officials slowly released and burned the toxic chemicals into the air to prevent an explosion.
Residents of East Palestine were evacuated during the release and burn, but after they returned, several complained of headaches, nausea, rashes and other symptoms that weren’t present before the crash.
Here are some of the main takeaways from the Senate committee hearing looking into the environmental risks from the crash and looked for ways to prevent it in the future.
Norfolk Southern issues an apology during Senate hearing
CEO Alan Shaw started his testimony issuing an apology to those harmed by the accident. He also promised Norfolk Southern would help the town recover financially, CNN reported.
“I am determined to make this right. Norfolk Southern will clean the site safely, thoroughly and with urgency. You have my personal commitment. Norfolk Southern will get the job done and help East Palestine thrive,” Shaw said, per CNN.
Sen. J.D. Vance questions Norfolk Southern on following regulations
Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, and Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, have cosponsored a bipartisan bill, The Railway Safety Act of 2023, to “give the federal government rather than railroads oversight over the heat sensors on railroad tracks,” according to The Hill.
“You cannot claim special government privileges and then resist basic public safety,” Vance said, referring to stipends the railway industry received from the government, per The Hill.
Shaw declined endorsing the regulation.
Sen. Sanders asks if Norfolk Southern will provide sick leave
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., called into question labor practices within the industry, asking if Shaw would commit to providing sick leave for employees. Sanders asked for a yes or no answer, and …read more
Source:: Deseret News – Utah News