WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) is endorsing critical and long-overdue legislation to make American railways safer. Following a train derailment and chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio, a bipartisan group of Senators, led by Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and J.D. Vance (R-OH), introduced the Railway Safety Act. Below is a statement in support of the proposed legislation from USCM CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran:
“No community should have to face what East Palestine is experiencing today. This tragedy is even worse because it didn’t have to happen. We’ve long known the risks and understood the need to improve rail safety. The U.S. Conference of Mayors has a decades-long history of supporting rail reform to make it safer for the cities that count on it. Today, that legacy continues, and we strongly endorse the Railway Safety Act.
This bill will enact key reforms USCM has long advocated for, help keep Americans safe and hold railroads accountable.”
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has also filed a federal lawsuit against Norfolk Southern in response to the East Palestine train derailment. The derailment released over 1 million gallons of hazardous chemicals and the Norfolk Southern accident rate is up 80% over the last 10 years.
The Ohio EPA has reported that approximately 6.3 million gallons of liquid wastewater have been hauled out of East Palestine in total. There is currently a pile of approximately 27,700 tons of excavated soil waiting for removal from East Palestine, versus 3,200 tons that have been removed.
Water sample results from private water systems of East Palestine area homes continue to show no harmful levels of contaminants. In total, 179 private systems have been sampled. Of those, test results from 99 samples have been verified, and none have shown any harmful contaminant levels associated with the derailment.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) is also examining the remains of a Bluetick Coonhound that lived near the derailment site and died on Monday following a period of lethargy, anorexia, and drooling, as well as the remains of two stray cats from the East Palestine area for necropsies and testing. To date, final testing results of deceased wildlife from the East Palestine area have not shown evidence of chemical toxicity.
The Ohio Department of Health’s Health Assessment Clinic in East Palestine, operating in partnership with the Columbiana County Health District, is operating on a walk-in basis. Residents should arrive at least an hour before closing to ensure there is enough time to be served.
According to the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, traumatic events, such as a train derailment, can cause intense stress, anxiety, and worry, especially in the first several weeks following the event. Local certified professionals are onsite at the East Palestine Mobile Health Clinic and are ready to assist anyone who has questions or concerns.
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, in the past five years (2018-2023), there have been a total of 8,521 train derailments in the United States. Of these, Ohio had a total of 517 derailments.
