On February 3rd, a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous industrial chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio causing a severe environmental emergency.

Vinyl Chloride and butyl acrylate were among the chemicals on board. Large quantities were released and burned to prevent an explosion authorities feared could be even worse.  The toxic plumes of smoke and the chemicals released into the water have caused one of the worst eco-disasters in U.S. history.

Families were evacuated and others told to drink bottled water.  Fish are dying.

The response by some authorities was muted and delayed, particularly in the case of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg who remained silent on the train disaster for a prolonged period.  Media coverage has been subdued as well.

Buttigieg “focused on racial disparities in construction during a Monday conference” and ignored the Ohio emergency.  It appears we have a Transportation Secretary who thinks the job is about politics, rather than safe and efficient transportation.

Michael Regan, Biden’s EPA administrator, hasn’t even showed up to look at the site.  As CFACT’s good friend Steve Milloy noted on Fox’s Jessie Watters program last night “What’s he doing?  He’s hocking electric buses, electric cars and environmental justice. This is an environmental catastrophe, it’s his job…but he’s too much of an empty suit to care.”

Check out Milloy’s interview here.

CFACT’s Marc Morano pointed out that the chemical mess in Ohio underscores the very real danger of allowing climate to hijack the environmental movement.  The singular focus on demonizing CO2 tends to blinker government institutions, NGOs and the media and leaves solid issues such as chemical cleanups and transportation safety out of view.

CFACT calls for an all-in government and industry response to safeguard people and the environment in Ohio.

While industrial chemicals need to move by road and rail (rail is safer), the derailment in Ohio also reminds us that gas and oil often do not.  Pipelines are the safest, cleanest and most affordable way to move gas and oil.  The Biden Administration should approve Keystone XL and other pipelines and responsibly lessen the likelihood of future hazardous spills.

Attention EPA Administrator Michael Regan: Cleaning up and preventing this kind of toxic spill is actually what EPA is supposed to be all about.

Attention Transportation Secretary Buttigieg: Are air brakes sufficient on trains transporting hazardous chemicals, or are more expensive electric brakes needed?  We don’t know, find out.  Should trains carrying these chemicals be designated “high hazardous material trains?” as Ohio Governor Mike Dewine is demanding?  We don’t know, find out.  Expedite and approve pipelines for oil and gas and transport these essential fuels safely and efficiently.

Step away from your political agendas and do your jobs.

Ohio's train derailment chemical disaster

Milloy:

This is an environmental catastrophe

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