WASHINGTON, D.C.— On May 17, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) met in his Washington office with Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw to discuss his concerns and issues stemming from the February train derailment in East Palestine, just over the state line from Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District.
At the meeting in his office, Rep. Deluzio made clear to Mr. Shaw that Norfolk Southern needs to make whole all residents of Beaver County who have experienced harm to their health, property, farms, or businesses due to his company’s toxic derailment in February. He also called on the railroad to act as a positive partner in the community to help rebuild trust.
The Congressman also asked Mr. Shaw and his company to support legislation to make rail safer, such as the bipartisan Railway Safety Act that Congressman Deluzio leads in the House, which just saw its companion bill pass out of committee in the Senate with support from both parties.
Congressman Deluzio has been to Darlington Township, East Palestine, and Conway (the site of a major Norfolk Southern railyard) several times and has spoken with residents, local officials, and rail workers to discuss their ongoing concerns.
Along with The Railway Safety Act, which he introduced with Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY) as a House companion bill to the Senate legislation, Rep. Deluzio has also sponsored the DERAIL Act to strengthen the overall safety standards for High-Hazard Flammable Trains, as well as the Assistance to Local Heroes During Train Crises Act with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) to support and reimburse the first responders who answer the call in the case of train emergencies.
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