Since the time of original reporting on this matter, Glenn Kessler at The Washington Post has conducted a thorough analysis of “every possible regulatory change made under Trump that could be related to the accident and assess whether it could have made an impact.”
Kessler’s analysis determined that “none of the regulatory changes made during the Trump administration at this point can be cited as contributing to the accident.”
We apologize for any confusion or misleading statements unintentionally made in the below article.
Read the full Washington Post analysis here.
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Earlier today, we reported that Scandal-ridden former President Donald Trump is slated to pay a visit to East Palestine, Ohio, today, at the site of the recent catastrophic toxic train derailment that released various toxic chemicals into the town’s air and waterways.
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As noted by Bloomberg, it comes as no surprise that the ex-president’s trip to the tragedy-stricken town is fueled by his desire to fully capitalize on his criticism of his successor President Biden amid the crisis and, more specifically, Biden’s controversial decision to make an unannounced visit to Ukraine, to meet with President Voldomyr Zelenskyy amid the ongoing Russian invasion and attack, before he made an in-person appearance in East Palestine, Ohio. Frankly, there was really no doubt in anyone’s mind that Donald’s flashy visit to the town in crisis is nothing more than a political PR stunt, under the hope that it breathes some new life into Trump’s DOA 2024 presidential campaign.
However, what I’m sure Donald himself wasn’t expecting, was the newly-ignited focus on his own rail safety failings during his tumultuous presidential administration.
Donald Trump’s PR stunt appearance in East Palestine, Ohio — a town of about 4,700 residents — has brought new attention and scrutiny to the regulatory rollbacks Donald Trump implemented against new braking requirements implemented by the Obama Administration for certain trains that were carrying hazardous materials. Trump dismantled these regulations during his term, undoubtedly simply because they hailed from his predecessor, yet had they been left in place, there is a high likelihood that the Norfolk Southern Corp. train that derailed in East Palestine would have been equipped with what is known as Electronically Controlled Pneumatic brakes, which may very well have prevented the catastrophic tragedy.
Bloomberg reports:
The braking requirement, put in place in 2015 as part of a suite of new safety rules following a number of fiery high-profile crude oil train derailments, required railroads to install more responsive electronic braking systems on trains carrying hazardous materials. The requirement would have replaced what the head of the Federal.”
Cynthia Quarterman, a former Obama Administration official who played a pivotal role in crafting extensive safety requirements for trains in the US said of the ex-president’s PR stunt visit, “[Trump] should be embarrassed.”
Speaking with the publication, she added, “Regulations force people to advance technology,” noting that the Electronically Controlled Pneumatic brake system could have prevented the crisis altogether.
As of yesterday, Norfolk Southern railroad company was ordered by the US federal government to foot the full cost of any cleanup related to the catastrophic train derailment in East Palestine.
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, 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.”
“To the people of East Palestine, EPA stands with you now and for as long as it may take.”
Per the legally binding EPA order, Norfolk Southern has no choice but to identify and rectify any contaminated soil and water resources as well as fully reimburse the EPA for any and all cleaning services offered to East Palestine residents and businesses by the federal agency.
The EPA confirmed, “If the company fails to complete any actions as ordered by EPA, the Agency will immediately step in, conduct the necessary work, and then seek to compel Norfolk Southern to pay triple the cost.”
Authorities state that extensive testing has been completed in East Palestine and both the air and the municipal water system in the small Ohio town were deemed to be safe. However, many residents of the town remain understandably concerned and have reported some symptoms such as headaches and nausea, as well as expressed fear of developing cancer from the contents of the spill in the future.
The 150-car Norfolk Southern train was traveling from Madison, Illinois, to Conway, Pennsylvania, at the time of the accident that caused 38 train cars to derail, 11 of which were carrying hazardous and toxic chemicals and materials including vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, and other chemicals, per the National Transportation Safety Board.
Read the full report from Bloomberg here.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
