East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment
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EPA is committed to protecting the health and safety of the East Palestine, Ohio community.
EPA personnel have been on site since the onset of the train derailment, supporting local and state partners as they lead on-the-ground response efforts.
Settlement Information
There are two separate, ongoing settlements related to the train derailment. EPA is only involved in one.
- The United States’ Settlement with Norfolk Southern was lodged by the Department of Justice and the public comment period is open until August 2nd. Information on how to submit and address a public comment can be found on the Federal Register website. Review the Consent Decree. If you have questions or need assistance please call our information line.
- Separately, there is a class action settlement with Norfolk Southern. EPA is not involved in this settlement. You can find more information on the East Palestine Train Derailment website, by calling 833-425-3400 or by visiting the claims center at 191 E. Rebecca Street in East Palestine.
Latest Update June 28, 2024
- With the reduced site activities in mind, Unified Command has made the decision to formally transition to a ‘Multi-Agency Coordination Group’ on June 28. This transition is typical at long-term emergency responses and signifies great progress.
- Representatives from all Unified Command organizations (EPA, Ohio EPA, Columbiana County, East Palestine, and Norfolk Southern), as well as assisting agencies, will continue to meet weekly to receive progress updates, discuss and coordinate work plans and ongoing field activities until they are completed.
- As EPA and Ohio EPA continue to have legal jurisdiction over the cleanup, sampling and monitoring work under legal instruments such as a consent decree, orders and permits, both agencies will continue to have personnel on site and will be closely involved in day-to-day activities.
- Public communications will be shared as needed instead of weekly, and a Joint Information Center will no longer be used. Information on the status of project will continue to be kept current on EPA’s website. Operational updates, including a weekly “look ahead”, will be provided by Norfolk Southern on their website.
- To assist with community safety efforts, work will be paused for the Fourth of July holiday and resume on July 5.
- Read the entire update: Updates from East Palestine, June 28, 2024 (pdf) (175 KB)
- EPA’s Welcome Center is open by appointment only. To make an appointment, please call EPA’s information line at 330-775-6517. Questions can also be sent to r5_eastpalestine@epa.gov.
Response Videos
Background
At about 8:55 PM ET on February 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, about a quarter-mile west of the Ohio-Pennsylvania state line.
Twenty of the affected cars contained hazardous materials, including vinyl chloride, ethylene glycol, ethylhexyl acrylate, butyl acrylate and isobutylene.
More Background InformationUnified Command:
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Columbiana County Emergency Management Agency
- Village of East Palestine
- Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
- Norfolk Southern Corporation
Cooperating and Assisting Agencies include:
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Ohio Emergency Management Agency
- Ohio Department of Health
- Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission
- Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- Beaver County Emergency Management Agency
- Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
- Pennsylvania Department of Health
- Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
- Ohio Department of Agriculture
- West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
Resources for Residents
Learn more about all resources available for East Palestine area residents
- EPA Information Line: 330-775-6517
- EPA Community Welcome Center in East Palestine: 25 North Market St.,
- By appointment only
- Information Repository: East Palestine Memorial Public Library, 309 N. Market Street, East Palestine, Ohio 44413.
M-Th. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fri-Sat. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.