Norfolk Southern CEO Apologizes For Derailment, Reiterates $21Mln Pledge To East Palestine

Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw apologized and reiterated a pledge of more than $21 million in relief on Thursday for his company's train derailment that resulted in the release of toxic chemicals in the small Ohio town of East Palestine

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th March, 2023) Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw apologized and reiterated a pledge of more than $21 million in relief on Thursday for his company's train derailment that resulted in the release of toxic chemicals in the small Ohio town of East Palestine.

"I want to begin today by expressing how deeply sorry I am for the impact this derailment has had on the residents of East Palestine and the surrounding communities," Shaw said at a hearing dedicated to the incident held by the US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Shaw added that he personally committed that Norfolk Southern "will clean the site safely, thoroughly, and with urgency" in collaboration with the EPA and local and state agencies.

Shaw reiterated "direct investments of over $21 million" in "community support." This included, in part, a $1 million fund for community leaders to direct donations, $7.

5 million for a community relief fund in Pennsylvania, and reimbursements for costs related to the derailment to Pennsylvanian emergency responders, and health and environmental agencies. He also announced that one of the company's frontline railroaders who was an East Palestine resident would take on a new position as a community advocate and liaison reporting directly to his office and overseeing the distribution of another $1 million.

Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey and Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown and JD Vance condemned the "lackluster" responses from the EPA and Norfolk Southern. They accused the company of prioritizing profits over safety and vowed to hold it responsible. They also reiterated bipartisan support for their new bill, Railroad Safety Act of 2023.