Norfolk Southern sent Darrell Wilson, a top government relations official for the railroad company, to a town hall meeting with the residents of East Palestine, Ohio Thursday night. The company’s CEO was a no-show, for a second time, and the town’s frustrated residents were angry. It’s been almost a month since the train derailment and toxic chemical spill happened and the residents still don’t have all the answers to their questions.
Yesterday Joe Biden answered a question from a reporter about the possibility that he might visit East Palestine. He said he speaks frequently to officials – Democrats and Republicans – and will go there “at some point.” The people in East Palestine know that they are not a priority for the president. That message has been sent loud and clear. To add insult to injury, the CEO of Norfolk Southern has not bothered to attend either of the two town halls that have been held. This time it was Wilson’s turn in the barrel. He was on his own up against residents looking to vent their frustrations.
As Darrell Wilson, a top government relations official for Norfolk Southern, tried repeatedly to apologize to the community and outline the company’s recovery efforts, residents interrupted and shouted over him, demanding that he commit to getting them out of the area, and that the company “do the right thing.”
“We are sorry,” Mr. Wilson said. “We’re very sorry for what happened. We feel horrible about it.”
“Evacuate us!” one person yelled, over Mr. Wilson’s apologies. “Get my grandchildren out of here!” another man yelled. “If you care about us, get our grandkids out.”
They are scared. They don’t know what is in the air they are breathing or the water or even in the ground where they previously planted vegetables and fresh produce to sell. Officials tell them the water and air are safe but that’s hard to believe when they are experiencing physical symptoms that are not normal. There are complaints of a wide range of health concerns – vomiting, rashes, nose bleeds, headaches, difficulty in breathing, chest congestion, and so on. Most cannot afford to leave their homes and they know it will be impossible to sell the homes after this disaster. Their lives have been turned upside down through no fault of their own. The residents don’t trust anyone at this point. Who can blame them?
Earlier Thursday, the EPA said it had instructed Norfolk Southern to test for dioxins. These are toxic pollutants that could have formed after the chemical burn-off. This goes a step further than had previously been ordered. Last month, the EPA ordered Norfolk Southern to pay for all the cleanup and it also required that the railroad “attend and participate in public meetings at E.P.A.’s request.” That included Thursday’s town hall. That is why Mr. Wilson was there. Dioxins can cause cancer and residents are afraid of long-term effects that may show up in the years ahead.
“Why did you wait so long?” one man yelled out as Debra Shore, the E.P.A. regional administrator, explained the February order and the requirement to test for dioxins. As the director of the Ohio E.P.A., Anne M. Vogel, reiterated that testing of the water had yet to show high levels of contaminants, another woman yelled out: “What about private wells? We’ll just stay here and die.”
And as E.P.A. officials reiterated that dioxin testing had begun, people yelled out, “Start now!” and “It’s too late!”
Shore tried to reassure the residents that the EPA will do all it can for them.
“We owe it to everyone, to everyone affected by the Norfolk Southern train derailment, to ensure that you continue to build those roots, that future generations can continue to proudly call this area home,” she said. “That is what E.P.A. is working toward. And we will not be leaving until you are satisfied.”
Wilson tried to speak to the crowd but was drowned out. Many were particularly angry that the CEO didn’t show up. Wilson was not enough for them, and that’s understandable. CEO Alan H. Shaw made a trip to East Palestine earlier in the month when he could no longer ignore the situation due to the continued public outcry, but he wasn’t at the town hall where he would face so many of the town’s residents.
Mr. Shaw is also set to testify before a key Senate committee next week as lawmakers and state officials demand more information about what led to the derailment and the possible long-term effects on the region’s environment and public health.
“You’re going to determine the finish line — you’re going to determine when it’s made right,” Representative Bill Johnson, Republican of Ohio, said on Thursday, pledging a separate House hearing on the environmental response, along with a field hearing in the region.
There is bipartisan legislation, co-sponsored by Senators J.D. Vance (R-OH), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Josh Hawley (R-MO) on rail safety reform. It remains to be seen if it will have support from Republican leaders who usually oppose stringent regulations on industries. Biden said he would support the legislation.
Discussion about this post