Biden calls Ohio train derailment ‘act of greed’ during visit to region a year later By Reuters
© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about the aid package for Ukraine in the State Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, February 13, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Jeff Mason and Nandita Bose
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday called a toxic derailment. Norfolk Southern (NYSE:) A train crash in East Palestine, Ohio, was completely preventable during a visit to the area a year after an accident that sparked a health and environmental crisis.
On his first trip since the derailment, Biden toured the site of the accident, which forced residents to flee their homes. Since then, many people have suffered from rashes, breathing difficulties and other illnesses.
“There is an act of God, but this was a greedy act that was 100% preventable,” he said. “We were putting pressure on the railroad to take more precautions, deal with braking and deal with all the issues that were left unaddressed. Norfolk Southern was not taking responsibility.”
East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway, a conservative who does not support Biden, extended an invitation to the Democratic president to visit, saying it would be good for his community.
“President Biden, today’s long-awaited visit to our town allows us to focus on the things we agree on,” Conaway said, including efforts to address long-term health issues in our community and economic growth. It was selected as .
The president called on Congress to pass bipartisan legislation to strengthen rail safety laws and said the federal government will continue to work in the community until the cleanup is complete. The bill, sponsored by Republican Senators JD Vance and Democrat Sherrod Brown, has stalled.
Republican lawmakers and some local residents criticized Biden for not visiting sooner. Biden’s motorcade passed through protesters in town. Some made wild gestures, and one person shouted, “You’re a year late!”
The Biden administration said it has been focusing on the issue since the derailment.
Norfolk Southern said it knows more work needs to be done.
“We are proud of the progress we have made to completely revamp the site and help our community recover. But we know there is more to do. We will continue to deliver on our promises and listen to our communities,” CEO Alan Shaw said in a statement.
While stopping at a downtown candle shop, Biden had a glass of local tap water and a can of coffee. Michael Regan, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, told reporters that the agency had been monitoring wells and municipal water resources and that “this derailment did not result in increased levels of contamination exposure.”
Former President Donald Trump, expected to be Biden’s 2024 presidential rival, traveled to eastern Palestine about two weeks after the incident and called the federal government’s response a betrayal. He did not comment on Biden’s visit on Friday.
The National Transportation Safety Board, which has not yet submitted its final report, said 38 trains derailed on Feb. 3, 2023, and a fire damaged 12 trains. Residents on both sides of the Ohio-Pennsylvania border were ordered to evacuate due to the derailment and toxic chemical releases.
Norfolk Southern estimated it would cost the company more than $800 million to clean up hazardous chemicals, rebuild communities and respond to lawsuits.
