Ohio and Pennsylvania Senators ask NTSB to address rail safety concerns
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio - Multiple U.S. Senators have sent a letter to the National Transportation Safety Board asking them to address rail safety concerns following the East Palestine train derailment.
U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Bob Casey (D-PA), and John Fetterman (D-PA) sent a letter to Jennifer L. Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board highlighting rail safety concerns the senators have heard from constituents, rail experts and railroad workers as the NTSB conducts its investigation of the East Palestine derailment.
The letter raises concerns over the weakness of current requirements regarding “high-hazard flammable trains,” axle and railcar inspections, electronic controlled pneumatic brakes, and railroad practices regarding maintenance and staffing.
In the letter, the senators state that the NTSB's investigation into what caused the train derailment is critical to preventing future derailments not only in Ohio and Pennsylvania, but across the nation as well.
The letter also expresses the Senators gratitude that no one was injured in the incident, but highlights the ongoing health concerns following the release of toxic chemicals in the community.
"Hundreds of families were forced to leave their homes, and they are now rightfully concerned about the long-term health risks due to the Norfolk Southern train derailment. No American family should be forced to face the horror of fleeing their homes because hazardous materials have spilled or caught fire in their community," the senators wrote.
The senators also wrote a letter to EPA administrator Michael Regan expressing their concerns about the release of hazardous materials following the train derailment in East Palestine.
In the letter, the senators press the EPA on its plan to hold Norfolk Southern accountable and ensure the proper resources are reaching East Palestine to continue to provide assistance to the residents in and around the region.
"Given the rural nature of this community, many residents rely on private drinking water wells that are not connected to a public water supply system, and therefore may need additional testing from EPA to ensure the safety of their drinking water sources. We are deeply concerned for the safety of the community in the impacted area,” wrote the senators.
