Norfolk Southern to pay millions to Pennsylvania in train derailment relief, Gov. Shapiro said
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) -- Norfolk Southern will pay out millions of dollars in damages to Pennsylvania, including to a Community Relief Fund, following last month's hazardous train derailment across the border in East Palestine, Ohio.
Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Monday that the rail company will pay $5 million to local fire departments that had to replace equipment.
Another million will go to a Community Relief Fund for those impacted in the Pennsylvania counties of Beaver and Lawrence, Gov. Shapiro said.
"Beaver County was 800 feet from the train derailment. Those are in our residents' backyards," said Beaver County Board of Commissioners Chairman Daniel Camp.
In addition, he said $950,000 goes to the Department of Environmental Protection and $400,000 goes to the Department of Health.
Gov. Shapiro met with Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw last Thursday and secured the initial commitment for financial aid as the cleanup from the Feb. 3 derailment continues.
Shapiro's office said he will push Norfolk Southern to cover any additional costs that accumulate.
"Norfolk Southern must pay the full cost of their derailment on Pennsylvanians and they have pledged to make this funding available immediately. The Shapiro Administration will continue to hold the company accountable and ensure they reimburse Pennsylvanians who have been impacted in short order," Press Secretary Manuel Bonder said in a statement.
Camp said they don't know many details but anticipate the board will be involved in putting the money where it belongs.
"I back out of my driveway, I'm at the Ohio line in a minute-and-half," said Darlington Township resident Joe Morris. "Darlington Township should not be forgotten."
Not only does Morris live in Darlington Township, he owns an auto repair shop there too, which lost money immediately following the derailment. He says the funds may help now, but it's the long-term effects he's worried about.
No one was hurt, but concerns that the chemicals could explode led state and local officials to approve releasing and burning toxic vinyl chloride from five tanker cars and to evacuate half of East Palestine and the surrounding area near the Pennsylvania border.
In Ohio, Norfolk Southern previously announced more than $1 million to replace fire equipment used in the response to the fiery wreck, plus $1 million for East Palestine and more than $1.2 million for evacuation costs for nearly 900 families and businesses.
The company has said it is "committed to coordinating the cleanup project and paying for its associated costs," and wants to ensure that East Palestine's residents and natural environment recover.
Federal and state officials have repeatedly said it's safe for evacuated residents to return to the area and that air testing in the town and inside hundreds of homes hasn't detected any concerning levels of contaminants. However, some residents say they're still suffering from illnesses nearly a month later.
