Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw will tell lawmakers Thursday that he is «deeply sorry» for a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and is «determined to make it right,» according to written Senate testimony obtained by NBC News.
“We will clean the site safely, thoroughly and urgently. We are making progress every day,” Shaw is expected to tell members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, according to prepared testimony from him.
The Senate hearing is scheduled to begin at 10 am ET.
The Norfolk Southern train carrying dangerous chemicals derailed in East Palestine, a town of about 4,700 near the Pennsylvania border, on the night of February 3.
There was a fire and residents were ordered to evacuate their homes. The railroad conducted a «controlled breach» of railcars containing vinyl chloride to prevent an explosion and the materials burned, authorities said.
Norfolk Southern’s CEO on Thursday is also expected to stress the importance of financial assistance for affected residents, noting that the company has «committed to reimbursements and investments of more than $20 million in total,» allocated to families and lifeguards.
“I want to be clear: this financial assistance is just a down payment,” Shaw will say, according to testimony.
“I have met with community leaders, business owners, school officials, clergy and others to begin to identify ways in which we can invest in the future prosperity of East Palestine and support the long-term needs of its people,” he will say. “We will continue to invest in East Palestine for as long as it takes to help the community recover and prosper.”
Vinyl chloride is a flammable gas that is linked to an increased risk of cancer. Some residents have complained of irritation and other health effects, and some have said they were afraid to shower or otherwise use water.
More coverage of derailment in East Palestine
The US Environmental Protection Agency has been conducting air monitoring, among other measures. The agency has said all it has detected are low levels of the compound 1,4-dichlorobenzene that are typical of ambient background concentrations.
Dirt is also being removed and sent to the sites for treatment and disposal, officials said.
Shaw is expected to tell the Senate committee on Thursday that «Norfolk Southern is working around the clock to remedy any remaining issues and monitor any impacts on public health and the environment,» according to written testimony.
According to testimony, Shaw will conclude his prepared remarks by promising to make things right.
“I want to state again how deeply we regret the impact of this derailment on East Palestine, the surrounding communities and all the people who have been affected,” he plans to say.
“We are making progress in the recovery and we know that our work is not done yet,” the testimony says. «On behalf of the more than 19,700 hardworking employees of Norfolk Southern, I promise that we won’t be done until we get it right.»
The 150-car Norfolk Southern Railway train was traveling from Madison, Illinois, to Conway, Pennsylvania, when it derailed just before 9 p.m.
Five of the cars that derailed were carrying vinyl chloride, said the National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the derailment.
Vinyl chloride is used to produce polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic for packaging materials and a range of electronic, medical and construction products.
A cause has not been determined. A preliminary NTSB report said an overheated wheel bearing was 253 degrees hotter than air temperature.
The NTSB has identified the railcar that caused the derailment and the agency said Surveillance video «showed what appears to be a wheel bearing in the final stage of failure from overheating moments before the derailment.»
