CEO of Norfolk Southern apologized for Ohio train derailment

CLEVELAND — Alan Shaw, the CEO of Norfolk Southern, will appear before a U.S. Senate committee on Thursday as his business faces increasing scrutiny following a train catastrophe in East Palestine, Ohio, last month.

Shaw will give testimony at a hearing on the event scheduled for Thursday morning before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. The committee will also hear from U.S. Senators. Sherrod Brown and J.D. Vance, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Director Anne Vogel, & other Ohio and Pennsylvania authorities. Brown told reporters on Wednesday, “My objective tomorrow is to hold (Shaw) accountable in front of the American people.

The firm has been under fire for a number of recent events

including the derailing of one of its trains in East Palestine. The hearing comes after the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that it would be looking into the safety procedures used by Norfolk Southern. Shaw apologized for the East Palestine train crash that released hazardous chemicals into the environment in prepared remarks on Wednesday. Residents continue to worry about their neighborhood and have claimed a number of health difficulties, despite officials’ assurances that the air and village water system are now safe.

Shaw stated on Wednesday, “I am determined to put it right. I am sincerely sorry for the effects this incident has had on the people of East Palestine and adjacent villages.

Norfolk Southern highlights initiatives to assist Ohio and boost rail safety

In response to the NTSB probe, Norfolk Southern launched a host of safety initiatives this week, including the addition of extra hot-bearing detectors along the rails. Also, the railroad is collaborating with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to establish a training facility for Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio first responders so they can respond to rail accidents safely. But the company has had other issues in Ohio besides the incident on February 3.

Despite not transporting any hazardous materials, one of its freight trains derailed over the weekend near Springfield, Ohio, losing close to 30 cars. There were no injuries recorded, and the collision is still under investigation.

Days later, a railroad crossing near a Cleveland steel plant saw the death of a Norfolk Southern employee who had been hit by a train. The string of mishaps prompted the NTSB to open a special inquiry into Norfolk Southern’s safety procedures, which also covers two other events involving the firm in 2021 and 2022.

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