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Norfolk daily news4/7/2023 Tom Carper, D-Del., the chair of the committee opened the hearing by calling it an “an opportunity to put ourselves in the shoes of those impacted by this disaster, examine the immediate response and ensure long-term accountability for the cleanup efforts.”Ĭarper joined the top Republican on the committee, Sen. Scenes of billowing smoke above the village, alongside an outcry from residents that they are still suffering from illnesses, have turned high-level attention to railroad safety and how dangerous materials are transported. No one was injured in the crash, but state and local officials decided to release and burn toxic vinyl chloride from five tanker cars, prompting the evacuation of half of the roughly 5,000 residents of East Palestine. Federal regulators have also said Norfolk Southern itself must do more to improve safety. Senators, however, have promised a pressing inquiry into the derailment, the Biden administration’s response and the company’s safety practices after the toppling of 38 railcars, including 11 carrying hazardous materials. The company has announced several voluntary safety upgrades. Norfolk Southern’s final financial responsibility is expected to run far beyond that after legal proceedings. He pointed to a $20 million commitment so far to help the community recover. “We’re going to be there for as long as it takes to help East Palestine thrive and recover.” “I’m terribly sorry for the impact this derailment has had on the folks of that community,” Shaw said. The accident in Alabama came on the same morning that Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw testified before Congress about last month’s fiery, derailment in Ohio of a train carrying hazardous materials.He did back proposals to tighten standards for tank cars that the railroads don’t own, expand hazardous materials training for first responders and establish standards for the trackside detectors railroads use to spot problems. “They have already amassed a large crew of people, and they have cranes, and they are feverishly working.” “Rail transportation remains the most safe way in this country to transport any type of material,” he added.Ĭalhoun Sheriff Matthew Wade told al.com that no one was injured. The cause of the accident is under investigation, Spielmaker said. Myles Chamblee, director of the Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency, said no injuries or road blockages were reported. Photos posted by local news outlets showed train cars on their side or leaning off the tracks in the wooded rural area. There is no risk at all to the public,” Spielmaker told reporters during a news conference. Two of the cars are considered “residue” cars because they previously contained hazardous materials but they were not compromised, he said. The derailment in Calhoun County, Alabama involved about 37 train cars, though none were carrying hazardous materials, said Connor Spielmaker, a spokesman for Norfolk Southern. The Alabama accident came on the same day the company’s CEO testified before Congress about the impact of a hazardous materials train derailment in Ohio. (AP) - A Norfolk Southern train derailed in Alabama on Thursday, but company and local officials said there was no threat to the public.
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