EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the devastating train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost pledged to pursue answers for the state’s lawsuit against Norfolk Southern due to the absence of a comprehensive statement of facts from the primary investigating agency.
“This anniversary fuels so many emotions, and it’s understandable to want to bring this despairing chapter to a close,” Yost said. “But rushing matters would be a disservice to the community, as we still need answers to so many questions. Those answers will help us ensure that tragedies like this don’t happen again in Ohio or elsewhere.”
A year ago on Feb. 3, disaster struck East Palestine when a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in eastern Columbiana County. This led to the release of chemicals into the soil, water, and atmosphere, prompting the evacuation of thousands of area residents.
“There are whispers of a settlement being worked out to bring this tragedy to an end – and make no mistake, we all want closure on this avoidable disaster,” Yost said. “But I cannot, in good conscience, agree to a settlement without a detailed understanding of what happened, who is responsible, and how we avoid other communities like East Palestine from being victims to this type of incident. No responsible person should want a rush to judgment in the form of a settlement without having all the facts. It would be irresponsible.”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the cause of the derailment but has not yet issued its completed findings.
In March, the Attorney General filed a 58-count federal lawsuit aiming to hold Norfolk Southern financially responsible for the derailment. Yost is awaiting the NTSB findings, hoping they answer crucial questions related to inspection, maintenance, and use of the rail car, responsibilities of owners and shippers, criteria for safety equipment and detectors, efficiency changes to the system, adequacy of Norfolk Southern’s safety monitoring equipment, and factors leading to the ‘vent and burn’ decision.
The Ohio litigation team recently met with Norfolk Southern to gather more details about the incident, noting the railroad’s cooperation. However, many questions remain.
“The health and safety of the people of East Palestine, along with the restoration and maintenance of the surrounding environment, continue to be our top priorities,” Yost said. “No measure of time will impede the state’s desire to do right for the community now, and for many years to come.”
Yost emphasized, “I am committed to getting the people of East Palestine the answers and appropriate compensation they deserve, however long that takes.”
