EPA Administrator Michael Regan and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Announce Special Clinic and Enforcement Action in Response to East Palestine Train Derailment

On Tuesday, the Ohio Department of Health and the Columbiana County Health Department opened a special clinic in East Palestine, Ohio, in response to the Feb. 3 train derailment of a Norfolk Southern train carrying toxic chemicals. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also announced a sweeping enforcement action against Norfolk Southern, compelling the company to conduct and pay for cleanup actions associated with the incident.

At a news conference in East Palestine, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said, “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.”

Despite officials saying that municipal water and air testing shows the area is safe, concerns about the East Palestine train derailment’s impact on local residents’ health remain widespread. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said that, should any health problems arise related to the incident, the railroad company should foot the bill.

“Let me be clear: Norfolk Southern will pay for cleaning up the mess they created and for the trauma they’ve inflicted on this community,” DeWine said during the press conference.

The special clinic opened by the Ohio Department of Health and the Columbiana County Health Department will provide medical care and mental health services to those affected by the train derailment. The clinic will remain open until the EPA has completed its cleanup and the area is deemed safe.