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Binghamton, NY – U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19) today requested information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the recent Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio and the potential impact this disaster could have on New York State. Rep. Molinaro serves on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

On February 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern freight train carrying twenty cars of hazardous chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. The initial chemical spill, and subsequent decision to initiate a controlled burn of toxic chemicals, has created a disaster that could have a devastating impact on air and water quality in Ohio and neighboring states like New York. In a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, Molinaro raised questions regarding the EPA's efforts to monitor air and water quality in neighboring states, the agency's long-term testing plan, and the appropriateness of the decision to conduct a controlled burn of toxic chemicals.

Rep. Molinaro said, "I am deeply concerned about the potential impact the Ohio train derailment will have on air and water quality in neighboring states like New York. The EPA must provide complete transparency on its response to this disaster, including its coordination with surrounding states, long-term testing plan, and decision to initiate a controlled burn of toxic chemicals following the disaster. These answers are essential to ensure our communities are not adversely impacted and to prevent future failures.”

The full text of the can be found here and below:

Dear Administrator Regan,

As you know, on February 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern freight train carrying twenty cars of hazardous chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. The initial chemical spill, and subsequent decision to initiate a controlled burn of toxic chemicals, has created a disaster that will have devastating impacts on the air and water for communities around the region. While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has understandably focused their efforts so far on the safety of the local region and Ohio River watershed, I have several questions regarding the EPA’s response to monitor air and water in nearby states like New York:

1. How is the EPA coordinating with surrounding states to ensure air and water quality are being monitored beyond the immediate site of the accident?

2. What is the agency’s plan for long-term testing to ensure unforeseen consequences of this incident do not emerge in the future?

3. Was a controlled burn the only appropriate action to mitigate the threat of explosion, or were there other potentially beneficial solutions that could have produced a less damaging result? When was the standard that produced this decision last evaluated?

4. What, if any, federal training or resources are provided to local first responders to ensure preparedness when they encounter an environmentally hazardous emergency such as the East Palestine derailment?

I believe the answers to these questions are essential for understanding the EPA’s decision-making process, long-term management plan, and to assure surrounding states like New York are not adversely affected. Complete transparency is critical for the safety of millions of Americans and to ensure that any failures that led to this major disaster do not happen again.