The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against Norfolk Southern, a major railroad company, over the environmental damage caused by a train derailment near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border. The derailment resulted in hazardous chemicals spilling into nearby creeks and rivers. The lawsuit, filed on Thursday, aims to hold the company accountable for "unlawfully polluting the nation's waterways" and ensure they cover the full cost of the environmental cleanup.
In early February, the train derailment led to the evacuation of around 2,500 residents of East Palestine as emergency responders deliberately burned toxic chemicals in some of the derailed cars to prevent an uncontrolled explosion. The chemicals from the derailed cars, as well as firefighting foam, seeped into creeks and rivers near the village, with some eventually reaching the Ohio River.
Although government officials have stated that tests have not detected dangerous levels of chemicals in the air or water in the area, many residents remain concerned about their long-term health.
Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw has repeatedly apologized for the impact of the derailment, and the company has committed to paying for the cleanup. The railroad has also pledged over $20 million to aid the Ohio community's recovery and announced several voluntary safety upgrades.
Ohio filed a lawsuit against Norfolk Southern just over two weeks ago, aiming to ensure the company pays for the cleanup and environmental damage, as well as for groundwater and soil monitoring in the coming years.