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Columbiana County nonprofit shares new list of demands for Norfolk Southern, EPA in wake of toxic train derailment

Among other things, River Valley Organizing is insisting officials not dispose of hazardous waste at an incinerator less than 20 miles from East Palestine.

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — Columbiana County nonprofit River Valley Organizing on Tuesday released a new list of demands from the community in the wake of the toxic train derailment earlier this month in East Palestine.

The announcement comes following a meeting attended by more than 200 residents. In particular, members of the organization accused the Norfolk Southern Railway of "destroying evidence" and even the Environmental Protection Agency for some of its practices.

"We heard the people of East Palestine loud and clear: what they want are safe homes and independent testing,” organizer Jami Cozza, herself an East Palestine resident, said in a statement. "It is only through coming together and demanding action that we will hold Norfolk Southern accountable and get families and businesses in our community the help they are owed."

Among its demands, RVO is insisting both the railroad and the EPA not incinerate hazardous waste at Heritage Thermal Services in East Liverpool, located less than 20 miles from East Palestine and also close to the Ohio River. The nonprofit on Monday condemned the agency's decision to take wastewater there, citing Heritage Thermal's previous violations of environmental laws.

"[Heritage Thermal] has already been polluting our communities for years," RVO said today. "This will only further spread the contaminants."

Also, River Valley Organizing is calling on officials to provide temporary relocation services like hotels or safe houses "for anyone who wants it." Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and village leaders previously ordered anyone with in a one-mile radius of the crash to evacuate, and Norfolk Southern has pledged to reimburse such expenses even if people outside the evacuation zone left the area. RVO believes this assistance should continue indefinitely as long as residents "don't feel safe and aren't getting their questions answered."

Other demands include things either already requested by federal agencies or ongoing as of this week, such as an order for the railroad to pay for all costs related to the crash and aftermath along with medical testing and public meetings. However, while the EPA has been testing the air, water, and soil in East Palestine, River Valley Organizing also wants "an independent scientist, hired by residents," to conduct additional examinations. Again, they ask that Norfolk Southern foot the bill.

"When the national press and celebrities lose interest and go home, our region will still be left dealing with this mess for years to come," RVO Co-Executive Director Daniel Watson wrote. "These demands outline what East Palestine and other impacted communities need right now and going forward. We need relocation, independent testing, medical monitoring, and an end to the burning of the toxic waste from the derailment at an unsafe incinerator in our community."

U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan was back in the village Tuesday. While he continued to stress his agency has deemed both the air and municipal drinking water safe, he acknowledged residents have a right to be concerned.

"It's one thing for me to say we believe, based on the science, that certain things are safe," Regan said at a press conference. "It's another thing for you all to feel comfortable."

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