Joe Biden has no plans to visit East Palestine. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed Thursday that the president will not go to the Ohio area affected by a toxic spill with a multitude of unknowns still up in the air. "I don't have anything to share on a presidential visit, not at this time, or anything to announce," Jean-Pierre pointed out bluntly to journalists' claims. Priorities are elsewhere, including a surprise visit to Ukraine earlier this week.
As for the rest of the federal administration, action has been far from swift. Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, took three weeks to visit the site of the derailment. Along with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) operators, Buttigieg went to the accident site, where the wreckage of the overturned tank cars still remains. Previously, the top railroad official had taken more than 10 days to make a statement - on Twitter - about the catastrophe. Management of the situation is being criticized by the inhabitants affected by the spill. Twenty days after the catastrophe, and after Donald Trump's arrival in the area, Buttigieg finally got a first-hand look at the situation.
Buttigieg's visit coincided with the preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which reported that the derailment was caused by overheating of the tracks.
Toxic spill in East Palestine
Tons of vinyl chloride and phosgene, a gas used as a chemical weapon during World War I, were spilled in the February 3 derailment. Several of the tank cars overturned, releasing the toxic components they were carrying. The fire caused a huge plume of black smoke that could be seen from dozens of miles away.
The consequences for the locality were dire: dead fauna, rivers and vegetation contaminated and the inhabitants had to be evacuated for several days. Those affected admitted that they did not dare to taste the water, even though information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showed that there was no risk and that it was still safe to drink. They also had health problems: they did not breathe well and had developed skin conditions.
The toxic waste was burned three days later. It is not known why it took 72 hours to do so or who authorized the burning, despite the fact that journalist Michael Patrick Leahy pointed to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine as the person responsible for the action. On the other hand, the Republican Party announced an investigation through its senator J.D. Vance, a native of the state, to clarify the facts.
My statement on the train crash in East Palestine. pic.twitter.com/E3IiyKOC2Z
— J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) February 13, 2023
EPA blames Norfolk Southern
The tension in East Palestine continues. Residents remain suspicious of EPA reports regarding water potability and air quality. Governor DeWine announced the opening of a clinic to evaluate and treat residents suffering from any type of infection or those feeling unwell.
In the meantime, the search is on for those responsible. And the EPA is clear: Norfolk Southern. The corporation was in charge of operating the derailed train, which is why the federal agency considers them to be the main culprits in the situation. "I want to be clear: we are holding Norfolk Southern accountable," said Michael Regan, EPA administrator.
I want to be clear: we are holding Norfolk Southern accountable.
On February 10, EPA issued a letter to Norfolk Southern to document the release of hazardous contaminants. It also outlines cleanup actions at the site and our authority under the law to hold them accountable. pic.twitter.com/acqfq7tdvS
— Michael Regan, U.S. EPA (@EPAMichaelRegan) February 15, 2023
On February 21, the EPA announced that it would oversee all actions at East Palestine. The neighbors were offered cleaning services for their homes and for the affected buildings. Aside, ordered Norfolk Southern to clean up the land and the toxic spill as the operator of the accident train.
"The Norfolk Southern train derailment has upended the lives of East Palestine families, and EPA’s order will ensure the company is held accountable for jeopardizing the health and safety of this community. Norfolk Southern will pay for cleaning up the mess they created and for the trauma they’ve inflicted on this community," Regan said.
