EPA Administrator, Senator visit train derailment

(17 Feb 2023)

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4419991

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
East Palestine, Ohio – 16 February 2023
1. Various of water testing and aerating
HEADLINE TEXT: EPA Administrator, Senator visit train derailment
++SOUNDBITE PARTIALLY COVERED++
2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Michael Regan, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator:
“Let me be clear, EPA will exercise our oversight and enforcement authority under the law to be sure we are getting the results that the community deserves.”
3. Medium of Regan speaking with other members of the EPA
ANNOTATION: The administrator of the EPA visited East Palestine this week along with senators and other politicians.
4. Medium of Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown walking to the creek
5. Various of water testing and aerating equipment
ANNOTATION: The officials assured residents that testing shows the air and water are now safe.
6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Anne Vogel, director, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency:
“We do have the municipal well tests back, it probably happened while you were in transit, and the water, we are not showing any evidence of any contaminants.”
7. Tight of water
ANNOTATION: They also promised to make sure Norfolk Southern not only pays for the cleanup but also reimburses residents.
8. Tight of workers
9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Sherrod Brown, (D) Ohio:
“The important thing to me is that we hold, is that, as the administrator said, that we hold Norfolk Southern accountable. That means accountable for the tests for people to move back in, accountable for all the cleanup that will take weeks, I don’t’ know how long, but at least weeks, to assure people that the water is safe, that the air is safe, that the soil is safe for their children, for the 4,000 plus residents here.”
10. Medium of Sulphur Creek
STORYLINE:
The head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is trying to assure residents forced from their homes by a toxic train derailment in Ohio nearly two weeks ago that testing shows the air and water are now safe.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan says he’s asking residents in eastern Ohio near the Pennsylvania line to trust the government.

“Let me be clear, EPA will exercise our oversight and enforcement authority under the law to be sure we are getting the results that the community deserves,” Regan said.

His visit came a day after residents of East Palestine packed a meeting and demanded to know if they’re safe.

Regan said he’s confident that technology being used to clean up the mess would protect public health. Residents are frustrated by what they say is incomplete and vague information.

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