Jan. 28 (UPI) — The government of East Palestine, Ohio, reached a settlement with rail operator Norfolk Southern over the 2023 train derailment that released toxic chemicals into the air.
The village of East Palestine and Norfolk Southern announced in a joint statement Monday that the settlement “resolved all claims by the Village” stemming from the derailment nearly two years to the date which spewed toxic chemicals into the air, soil and creeks that was later discovered in other states including neighboring Pennsylvania.
“The settlement provides the Village with $22 million from Norfolk Southern to be used for priorities identified by the Village in connection with the train derailment,” read part of a joint statement on Tuesday by the village and Norfolk Southern Corporation.
On Tuesday, a Norfolk Southern spokesperson confirmed the announcement to ABC News.
Nearly 50 train cars, about a dozen of which carried hazardous materials, derailed on Feb. 3, 2023 in the village of approximately 4,700 citizens in Ohio’s northeastern Columbiana County.
Some of the cars were transporting roughly 115,580 gallons of toxic vinyl chloride.
Norfolk Southern in April 2024 agreed to a $600 million settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit with all funds diverted directly to residents.
The company had already paid $104 million in community assistance to the area for various projects, as well as a $4.3 million infusion for drinking water infrastructure upgrades.
The joint statement pointed out more than $13 million was paid out to East Palestine since the accident to fray costs of public infrastructure improvements like replacing fire and police vehicles, updates to the local water treatment plant and exterior renovations to Norfolk Southern’s historic train depot.
“The settlement also reaffirms Norfolk Southern’s commitment of $25 million to the ongoing improvements to the East Palestine City Park,” wrote company and village officials.
Norfolk Southern also agreed to transfer ownership of approximately 15 acres of land the company acquired to be utilized by the village “in its sole discretion,” officials added.
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