Under pressure from lawmakers, CEO Alan Shaw was also unwilling to commit to supporting a legislative requirement for two-person crews on all freight trains. Norfolk Southern CEO sidesteps responsibility for preventing East Palestine derailment:
Brown said Norfolk Southern, the Atlanta-based railroad operator, had 579 violations in cases that have been closed and paid an average fine of less than $3,300 in the most recent fiscal year available.
The East Palestine derailment has led lawmakers to question the industry's use of cost-cutting tactics to try to improve efficiency and boost profits. Alan Shaw, CEO, Norfolk Southern, standing center, along with Clyde Whitaker, legislative director, Ohio State SMART-TD, sitting left, and Ian Jefferies, CEO, Association of American Railroads, sitting right, prepare to speak at a Senate hearing on improving rail safety in response to the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment.
Homendy noted that Amtrak and commuter railroads are required to maintain crash and fire-hardened inward- and outward-facing image recorders in all controlling locomotives that can record for a minimum of 12 hours nonstop. Such information is crucial for investigators, she said. Homendy said a spill of vinyl chloride occurred during a train accident in 2013, after which NTSB issued a number of recommendations:Ensuring they are adequately trained and provided proper gear; andIn the East Palestine derailment, plastic placards identifying the railcars carrying hazardous materials melted in the subsequent fire, so first responders couldn't easily identify what chemicals they were dealing with.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan said he believed Norfolk Southern should be moving faster to remove contaminated soil from East Palestine – and that, at the current rate, the site would take roughly three more months to clean up.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
East Palestine train disaster: Former Norfolk Southern engineer blames reduced safety protocolsThe train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, could have been prevented with stronger safety protocols, a recently retired Norfolk Southern engineer told Fox News.
Read more »
Norfolk Southern CEO 'deeply sorry' for East Palestine disaster, says company will 'make this right'Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw vowed that his company would 'make good on its promise' to clean the site safely and thoroughly.
Read more »
Norfolk Southern train in Alabama derailment lacked needed couplers, feds sayA Norfolk Southern train that derailed in Alabama earlier this month lacked required alignment control couplers for two of its locomotives and a company...
Read more »
Daywatch: The future of Norfolk Southern’s planned Chicago expansionGood morning, Chicago. Here are some top stories to start your day: - The future of Norfolk Southern’s planned Chicago expansion - Special prosecutors take aim at state torture commission - Chicago Humanities Spring Fest 2023 lineup announced
Read more »
Norfolk Southern train that derailed in Alabama was not properly equipped, investigators sayA Norfolk Southern train that derailed in Alabama earlier this month lacked required alignment control couplers for two of its locomotives and a company inspection did not identify their absence, federal investigators said Monday.
Read more »