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February 23, 2023

Pete Buttigieg in East Palestine as Pennsylvania Weighs Criminal Charges over Norfolk Southern Crash
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The attorney general of Pennsylvania is investigating possible criminal
charges over the derailment of a Norfolk Southern train in East
Palestine, just across the border in Ohio. Governor Josh Shapiro said
environmental officials are continuing to monitor for any contamination
in Pennsylvania. Shapiro spoke Tuesday at a press conference with Ohio
Governor Mike De Wine and EPA head Michael Regan.

Gov. Josh Shapiro: "We will hold accountable Norfolk Southern, the
company that made this vigilance necessary. The combination of Norfolk
Southern's corporate greed, incompetence and lack of care for our
residents is absolutely unacceptable to me."

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is visiting East Palestine today
after coming under enormous pressure for his initial response to the
disaster. Critics say he should have visited the site of the crash
immediately, and rejected his claims that he was powerless to improve
rail regulations.

On Wednesday, former President Trump visited East Palestine and blasted
Biden's response to the crash, as well as his absence, saying he was
busy "touring Ukraine." In 2018, the Trump administration rescinded an
Obama-era rule that would have required more sophisticated brakes on
trains carrying hazardous materials. Trump's EPA also rolled back many
environmental regulations.


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