Norfolk Southern Railroad CEO Alan Shaw finally broke his silence in a long overdue visit to the toxic disaster scene. He gave the fumes a full 12 days to dissipate before he got anywhere near East Palestine, Ohio. When he did, he immediately proclaimed that venting the tanks to prevent an explosion was the right thing to do. That may be the only thing the company did right but he’s trying to stay positive. They’re spreading lots of cash around to help out too, never mind what the weasel worded “indemnification language” says. That, Shaw assures, was a “mistake.”
Railroad CEO arrives in Ohio
More than two weeks after the toxic railroad disaster which nuked East Palestine, Ohio and neighboring Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw finally showed his face in the community. The smell of burned vinyl chloride hangs in the air everywhere.
Residents say it smells like burning tires dipped in nail polish remover. “I think we did what we needed to do in order to prevent an uncontrolled explosion in the evening,” Shaw points out.
The CEO was quick to add that “company consultants, the Department of Defense, the National Guard as well as state and local officials all signed off on the move.” Cost had nothing to do with that decision. It’s been reported that a track sensor failed, so didn’t detect an overheated axle. Apparently the federal infrastructure money hasn’t made it that far. They also aren’t sparing any expense in the cleanup, he promises.
Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw's got the worst rail safety record in Ohio. 129 train accidents in 2022. 67 derailments. East Palestine, Ohio the worst. His SEC 10K filing shows concern the costs of hazardous material accidents will exceed Norfolk Southern's insurance coverage. pic.twitter.com/JIzEBx4k7L
— Eric Jonathan Brewer (@EricJBrewerCle) February 12, 2023
The railroad “hired consultants to do air and water quality tests in conjunction with the EPA.” One of the big problems is that amounts considered “safe” and legal, aren’t necessarily safe, even below the maximum allowable limits. Reality is that the effects of this disaster might not be fully appreciated for years, even more than a decade. That’s not the company’s problem, though. They have more than enough with what they are responsible for.
Shaw insists that “all air and municipal water tests have come back clean but that those with private wells should keep drinking bottled water.” He also promises the EPA will release the numbers. If they don’t, then call them to complain, not him. The railroad already has trains running again. When asked about the soil under the new rails, he hedged. He could have told the truth. “Heck no it hasn’t been treated but we put rails over it anyway.”
The way he put it was “we worked with the Ohio EPA to make sure that it was safe to operate on the soil in that area.” The reporter grilled him on that, quizzing “so none of the soil underneath the rail line is contaminated?” Shaw replied testily, “I didn’t say that, what I’m saying is we worked with the Ohio EPA on safe operations and safety for the community.”
Whatever is required
Forget about the soil under the new track, Shaw snarled, promising to do “whatever is required.” Whatever is required by the EPA that is. Meanwhile, “contaminated water is being taken out of state – and the contaminated soil, which has not been hauled away yet, will be taken to the appropriate landfill.”
The railroad will handle the stretch under their track on their own, soon.
That’s when residents started howling about “indemnification letters” that came with their “inconvenience money.” Local lawyers are telling them not to sign away their rights to the railroad for a few quick bucks. They wanted to know if “their rights to sue for any further damages would be affected.”
Sellout and buffoon Secretary of Transportation Mayor Pete with Alan Shaw, President and CEO of Norfolk Southern Corporation and Nabanita Chaterjee, Chief Legal Officer. Now we know why he is in hiding from the residents of East Palestine, Ohio. Impeachment is warranted pic.twitter.com/y9oOZPvK29
— Pat E Bee 🐝 (@PEBLAW) February 17, 2023
Shaw admits there was such language passed around but it was allegedly an “error.” There aren’t any strings attached to the cash, he promises. “The indemnification language which was on one of our contractor’s forms was in error. As soon as we found out about it, we went to the contractor and told them to remove it.”
Another big question on local minds was if “the railroad company will invest in new technology to help prevent future derailments.” He passed the buck to Pete Buttigieg and the National Transportation Safety Board. “Although the NTSB has been in control of the investigation into the derailment,” the company “will look into making the railways safer.” Also, he adds, “we will continue to invest to make sure that Norfolk Southern is a safer railroad.”
He also apologized. “I’ve made it clear. I am terribly sorry for what has happened to this community. We’re going to be here today, we’re going to be here tomorrow, we’re going to be here a year from now, and we’re going to be here five years from now.” They may be there 50 years from now.
