The head of the Environmental Protection Agency says states may not prevent train derailment waste in Ohio
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Reagan He said Friday that states to prevent polluting waste from leaving a toxic train in Ohio is “not allowed.”
“This is not allowed and this is not acceptable,” he said, noting that there is no reason why countries should not be charged the types of waste that approved facilities routinely handle on a daily basis.
Some countries have sought to prevent such shipments from being sent to hazardous waste storage sites.
Oklahoma State Kevin State said last week that he has stopped the derailment waste from coming to his state.
A train carrying hazardous materials in northwest Arizona
Kevin State, Governor of Oklahoma, listens during the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas, Texas, July 10, 2021. (Dylan Hollingsworth/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The governor’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
In a letter to the states, the agency said blocking the shipments was likely in violation of federal law, as well as the Trade Clause of the US Constitution, which the EPA said limits states’ power to stop the movement of hazardous waste.
The Environmental Protection Agency told Norfolk Southern on Friday that it expects the rail operator to pursue legal action if it is unable to ship waste to approved disposal facilities.
“A state that blocks these waste shipments could impede Southern Norfolk’s ability to comply with obligations under CERCLA, as well as the EPA’s order to Southern Norfolk, which is illegal,” Regan told reporters, on The Hill. “We have been very clear with our partners in the state Waste from eastern Palestine It has undergone more testing and analysis… than other similar waste regularly accepted at facilities nationwide. “
FILE – Then-nominee for EPA Administrator Michael Reagan speaks at the Queen’s Theater on Dec. 27. 19, 2020, in Wilmington, Delaware. (Joshua Roberts/Getty Images)
CERCLA, or the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, provides a federal “super fund” for clean-up of uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites as well as accidents, spills, and other emergency releases of pollutants and pollutants into the environment.
KENTUCKY FORCES TRAIN REDUCATION 21 Rail Cars Off the Tracks, No Threat to the Public
Reagan also pointed out on Twitter on Friday Cleaning after going off the track It should be completed in about three months. To date, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, crews have removed nearly 5,500 tons of contaminated soil and 7 million gallons of sewage.
“But let me be clear: Norfolk Southern has been ordered by the EPA to clean up the mess it has made – and no one should hinder or prevent that cleanup as we return East Palestine to the beautiful community its residents know.” “That is why I have directed my team to issue two notices: one to Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw and one to participating EPA regulators across the country. These letters remind both the company and US partners of their legal obligations regarding waste management.”
Ohio State and Environmental Protection Agency contractors collect soil and air samples from the derailment site on March 9, 2023 in East Palestine, Ohio. (Michael Swensen/Getty Images)
“residents of eastern Palestine You should expect states, private companies, and the federal government to work together to enact the speedy cleanup you deserve. That is exactly what the EPA set out to do, and we will not tolerate anything less,” Regan asserted.
Previously, the EPA briefly halted removal of contaminated waste when concerns were raised about oversight of where it was shipped to sites in Michigan and Texas. Hazardous waste sites in Ohio and Indiana also received shipments.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
