Settlement Falls Short of Meeting Urgent Needs
Residents in East Palestine, Ohio, and nearby areas express disappointment with the new $310 million settlement announced by the Biden administration, stating it fails to address their most pressing needs, such as access to healthcare for chronic conditions that surfaced after the Norfolk Southern train disaster.
Residents Feel Settlements Do Not Cover Costs
Despite the size of the settlements, impacted residents in Pennsylvania and Ohio feel that the agreements do not begin to cover their past and ongoing expenses related to the derailment, including prescription medications, environmental cleaning, testing fees, and relocation costs.
Community Struggles with Access to Resources
Residents like Hilary Flint and Jess Conard have faced challenges in accessing resources for symptoms that emerged after the disaster, highlighting the ongoing struggle to get the support they need.
EPA's Response and Settlement Details
The Environmental Protection Agency's settlement with Norfolk Southern includes provisions for clean-up costs, health monitoring, penalties, and safety measures, but some residents feel it falls short of addressing their immediate healthcare needs.
Residents Call for Major Disaster Declaration
Local activists, including Conard, are pushing for a major disaster declaration for East Palestine to ensure healthcare coverage for residents and access to essential resources for the community.
Long-Term Impact on Residents
More than a year after the derailment, residents like Flint and Conard continue to grapple with the physical and mental toll of the incident, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support beyond research and monitoring.
—————————————————————————————————————————————
By: Kiley Bense, Inside Climate News
Title: Residents Disappointed with $310 Million Settlement for Train Disaster
Sourced From: therealnews.com/ohio-and-pennsylvania-residents-affected-by-the-east-palestine-train-derailment-say-their-basic-needs-are-still-not-being-met
Published Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2024 14:55:53 +0000
Leave a Reply