EAST PALESTINE, OHIO (PTTP) – President Joe Biden will be in East Palestine, Ohio today more than one year after the train derailment that devastated the small town.
On the evening of February 3rd, 2023, a Northfolk Southern train carrying thousands of hazardous chemicals derailed, ruptured, and caught fire in East Palestine, Ohio, a small town of about 4,700 residents. The EPA agency revealed that the train had been carrying chemicals such as Vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, Ethylhexyl acrylate, and ethylene glycol, all very hazardous and flammable materials. Three days later, in an attempt to prevent a dangerous explosion, authorities set fire to the chemicals, resulting in a massive black cloud that blanketed the small town and forced residents to evacuate. On February 8th, community members were given the all-clear to return to their homes. Still, even a year later, locals remain unconvinced that their homes are free of pollutants, saying they have received conflicting information about the contamination resulting from the crash. Some feel that officials aren’t paying attention to their concerns. This is particularly evident in President Joe Biden’s absence from ever visiting the area of the disaster, something he has received intense scrutiny for since the derailment. Now, over a year later, the 81-year-old will make his way here, expected to land at Pittsburgh International at 2:30 pm today. Biden was invited to East Palestine by Mayor Trent Conaway as well as other community leaders. He is expected to discuss how the Biden administration is continuing to work with state and local officials to hold Northfolk Southern accountable and support the community as it moves forward. In September, the president issued an executive order that directed Northfolk Southern to continue to be held accountable for the derailment and address any long-term effects on the community.
This derailment did and has continued to affect the people of East Palestine, Ohio for over a year now. Hopefully, the President’s long-overdue visit will be a step in the right direction for the residents of this community.