The cause of a Norfolk Southern train derailment near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border will be released at a hearing in June, federal investigators announced Wednesday.
The National Transportation Safety Board will return to East Palestine for the final round of hearings, which will be held June 25 at the local high school in northern Ohio.
This comes 17 months after the Feb. 3, 2023, derailment of 38 cars that caused evacuations and health concerns. Residents have been worried about the long-term effects of the toxic materials in the train cars, which burned for days after the crash.
During the public meeting, the NTSB board will vote on the probable cause, findings, and what further action should be taken. Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy is also planning two additional meetings for residents to share questions and comments about the investigative process.
The Environmental Protection Agency said cleanup from the derailment could conclude in the summer if the latest test proves there is no further contamination. The EPA has collected “more than 115 million air monitoring data points and more than 45,000 samples (air, water and soil) in and around” East Palestine, according to the Biden administration, but many residents think more testing should be done to prove the air and water quality is safe.
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“The Administration will continue to support the people of East Palestine and other affected communities for as long as it takes, including by using every available tool to hold Norfolk Southern accountable,” a White House official said last week.
President Joe Biden plans to visit East Palestine in February and highlight the government’s response while also calling on Congress to improve and address railroad safety.
