Deluzio calls for congressional action after Ohio train derailment

U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Aspinwall, said after visiting the site of the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment on Thursday that he wants to see Congress and federal agencies take action to make railways safer.

A Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed near the Pennsylvania border on Feb. 3, causing a fire that burned for three days. Norfolk Southern conducted a controlled burn of five tankers that had been hauling vinyl chloride to avoid a potential explosion, sending a dark plume of smoke over the East Palestine area.

Residents, including about two dozen in Beaver County, were ordered to evacuate their homes for several days. The evacuation order was lifted last week, but some residents have shared concerns about air and water quality and foul odors. No deaths or injuries to people have been reported.

Deluzio, whose district includes Beaver County, said seeing the derailment site and speaking with constituents made him think about how many Western Pennsylvanians have tracks that run right through town and near homes.

“It was brutal to see,” said Deluzio. “Folks are worried. They want to know how government is stepping up.”

Deluzio attended a news conference Thursday with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan, who told residents that testing and monitoring showed the air and water around East Palestine is safe.

Deluzio said he understands why residents are anxious given the images of black smoke and details about the hazardous chemicals that were leaked from the derailment.

On the ground in East Palestine today with @EPAMichaelRegan. My constituents just over the border in #PA17 are scared. They want to know if the air and water are safe to breathe and drink.

They deserve answers and accountability, and I’m on a mission to bring them just that. pic.twitter.com/BT8lN7AvWx

— Congressman Chris Deluzio (@RepDeluzio) February 16, 2023

He said any Pennsylvania residents near the derailment site — particularly those in Darlington Township, Beaver County — wanting air or water quality testing for their homes should contact his office. He also encouraged any constituents feeling sick and believe it is related to the derailment to visit their doctor so it can be documented.

Deluzio also said he intends to continue to put pressure on the EPA and other federal agencies to ensure that monitoring continues for as long as necessary.

He said he wants to hold Norfolk Southern accountable for any harm it caused, and he is looking at the best steps to do that.

Deluzio criticized Norfolk Southern and other railroads for lobbying against a proposed rule change that would require at least two train crewmembers for over-the-road railroad operations. He said because the derailed train in East Palestine had three crew members at the time of derailment, they were able to take more action.

“Had there not been three crewmembers and had there been only one, the railroad workers said they would not have been able to mitigate the harm,” Deluzio said. “It could have been worse.”

In the longer term, Deluzio said he wants Congress to take action to make railways safer. He said he supports efforts to increase notifications of trains carrying hazardous materials.

He also said Congress should look at the railroad’s Precision Scheduled Railroading policies, which aim to increase profit margins by using fewer crewmembers, longer trains and more efficient scheduling.

Deluzio said action against PSR is gaining steam, and will likely only continue as more news unfolds about the East Palestine derailment. Last week, more than a dozen lawmakers met in Washington, D.C., to support union workers and rail against PSR.

The group of lawmakers was composed mostly of progressive Democrats, but also included some moderate Republicans and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton.

Deluzio said the railroads should be focused on increasing safety and should potentially alter some PSR plans.

“They have been squeezing every penny of profit they have at the expense of safety,” Deluzio said.