The pledge was offered by Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) head Michael Reagan to the small community of New Palestine, Ohio, for immediate relief following a natural disaster. pesticide spill in a commercial train derailment last month. Regan’s visit to the city council meeting came after residents criticized the late arrival of emergency services and the lack of safety from Norfolk Southern, the train’s owner. More than two weeks after the accident, residents are expressing fears of an imminent explosion following a controlled release of chemicals, with many complaining of nausea, headaches and a strong smell in the area. Reagan faced angry residents who asked him if he would drink tap water in New Palestine or send his children to the local high school.

“We are studying all the substances that were on the train and took water samples from the stream where the dead fish was found. As a father, I trust the scientists and the methodology followed by the federal government. Atmospheric air measurements have not shown the presence of hazardous chemicals, and groundwater studies are ongoing, ”Reagan said at a press conference. Residents are blaming the railroad company, expressing outrage Thursday at a Norfolk Southern representative’s decision not to attend an emergency city hall meeting in front of the head of the EPA. Others wonder why the company rushed to repair the lines immediately after the accident while continuing to operate through New Palestine.

Compensation

Six congressmen and senators from Ohio have asked the railroad company for details on a residents and farmer compensation program and a chemical spill clean-up operation. The company has made repeated commitments to offer generous financial assistance to residents and to carry out a complete decontamination of the affected area. In an open letter, Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw pledged that the company “will remain there for as long as necessary to ensure the safety of the people of New Palestine and restore the local economy.”