"The chief executive of a railroad company that operated a train that derailed and caused a release of toxic chemicals in February told the Senate on Thursday that he is “deeply sorry” for the impact on East Palestine, Ohio, and he is personally committed to “make this right.”
Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw testified before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works amid scrutiny over the railway’s history of opposing federal safety regulations and criticism that it has cut jobs related to maintenance and inspection. Senators grilled Shaw about the steps the railway is taking to protect public health and the environment in the wake of the Feb. 3 derailment of a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous chemicals.
Sen. Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.) said he would have liked to hear more “unequivocal yeses” from Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw on Thursday.
Throughout the hearing, Shaw refrained from committing to providing paid sick days for Norfolk Southern employees, pausing stock buybacks, compensating East Palestine residents for losses in home values, and supporting all parts of a proposed rail safety bill."
SEE ALSO:
"Senators Scrutinize Communication Lapses In Toxic Ohio Train Disaster" (Washington Post)
"Democratic Senators Grill Norfolk Southern CEO on Deregulatory Lobbying" (The Hill)
