EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown is calling on Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to declare a disaster in East Palestine, as well as seek full support of the federal government during the ongoing clean-up efforts from the train derailment.
The letter to DeWine was sent on Thursday, prior to DeWine's announcement of requesting federal support.
“A man-made disaster of this scale, scope, and significance necessitates a response and deployment of resources that are commensurate in scale and scope. I’m grateful for all that the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ohio Emergency Management Agency, local firefighters, and local law enforcement have done to respond to this unprecedented disaster, but it’s critical we act quickly to supplement those efforts. Additional federal resources can and should play a critical role in helping our fellow Ohioans get back on their feet and ensure that their community is a safe place to live, work, and raise a family,” wrote Brown.
Gov. DeWine spoke with White House officials on Thursday morning to address the need for federal help. As a result, DeWine has requested assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health and Emergency Response Team, and the CDC to provide on-the-ground assistance in East Palestine.
The letter comes nearly two weeks after residents were evacuated from their homes following a fiery train derailment on Friday, Feb. 3. While residents have returned to their homes, many remain worried about harmful chemicals after a last week's controlled release of vinyl chloride from five derailed train cars.
Brown, who also sent letters to the NTSB and EPA, is one of the many officials visiting East Palestine on Thursday.
The full letter to Gov. DeWine can be read below:
I write regarding the February 3, 2023, Norfolk Southern train derailment near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border in East Palestine, resulting in hazardous chemicals being released into the air, surface soils, and surface waters in and surrounding East Palestine. I would like to thank you for your leadership and the work of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) in responding swiftly to this crisis.
I am grateful no injuries or fatalities resulted directly from the derailment, but I remain concerned about the release of hazardous materials into the air, surface, and groundwater across the region surrounding the derailment and what the potential long-term health impacts will be. This is an unprecedented situation; hundreds of families were forced to flee their homes and are now rightfully concerned about the potential long-term health risks associated with exposure to the toxic chemicals released. The scope, scale, and significance of this man-made disaster will be impacting the people of East Palestine and the region for years to come. No American family should be forced to face the horror of fleeing their homes because hazardous materials have spilled or caught fire in their community. No American family should have to live in fear of long-term health risks from drinking contaminated water or living in contaminated homes.
A man-made disaster of this scale, scope, and significance necessitates a response and deployment of resources that are commensurate in scale and scope. I’m grateful for all that the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ohio Emergency Management Agency, local fire fighters, and local law enforcement have done to respond to this unprecedented disaster, but it’s critical we act quickly to supplement those efforts. Additional federal resources can and should play a critical role in helping our fellow Ohioans get back on their feet and ensure that their community is a safe place to live, work, and raise a family.
In order to ensure that the community has all the resources they need to ensure public health and safety now and into the future, I ask that you officially declare a disaster and seek the full support of the federal government to bolster the state of Ohio’s ongoing clean-up efforts.
Once again, I appreciate your leadership, and I look forward to hearing your response and working together to address the concerns and needs of the residents of East Palestine and the surrounding communities.