EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan and officials visited East Palestine on Thursday afternoon following a recent train derailment that has left many community members concerned.
During the visit, Regan met with city, state and federal leaders as well as community members regarding the impacts of the derailment.
“All families need to know that they are safe. All families deserve access to clean air and safe drinking water," said Regan. "I want this community to know that they don’t have to manage this issue on their own. As President Biden told Gov. DeWine, anything the state needs, we will be there to help.”
Regan also discussed the EPA’s 24/7 air monitoring program within the community and visited the site of the impacted areas. Throughout the air monitoring, there has been no detection of vinyl chloride. He also reminded residents that screenings are available for anyone.
“I want the community to know that we hear you, see you and we will get to the bottom of this…,” said Regan. “We are absolutely going to hold Norfolk Southern accountable and I can promise you that.”
Regan also encouraged families to use bottled water if their water had not been tested and to seek out testing from the EPA and the state of Ohio prior to returning to their home.
Full coverage from Regan's visit can be watched below:
Regan was joined alongside other officials including the following at the press conference:
- U.S. EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore
- U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown
- U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson
Johnson, as well as others, ensured community members that their concerns are being heard.
"You are not alone. You have heard from administrator Regan and I have heard them say it numerous times,” said Johnson. “They are here until the job is done for as long as it takes.”
Earlier on Thursday, U.S. Sen. JD Vance also visited East Palestine, expressing his frustration and concerns for the community.
"I am very frustrated with the CDC. We have been going back and forth with them for a couple of days asking them, 'What are the acceptable levels of contamination before this becomes endangering to human health?'" Vance said. "We have not yet gotten a good answer, and it is something that we are going to keep hammering on in Washington and outside of Washington for the next few weeks, if we have to."
He also noted the smell of air that he encountered when arriving in East Palestine.
"My guidance to people is to continue to drink bottled water," Vance declared, even though state administrators have declared municipal drinking water to be safe. "We don’t know. People say that the air is clean. I would like to believe that is true. I have been here for three hours and it does not smell great to me. Especially when we first arrived this morning, I was immediately struck by the smell of the air.”
All of Vance's remarks can be viewed in the video below:
On Wednesday, 12 days after the Norfolk Southern train derailment, community members gathered for a town hall at East Palestine High School.
While EPA tests have indicated the air is safe, people in the community remain worried about harmful chemicals following the controlled release of vinyl chloride from five derailed train cars.
At the town hall, residents expressed their concerns and came with questions for officials. However, many questions were not answered as Norfolk Southern did not attend the town hall, citing concerns about growing physical threats to their employees.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost also announced Wednesday that he is considering taking legal action against the railroad company.