Home » Controlled release planned

Controlled release planned

Last Updated on February 27, 2023 at 10:05am

On Sunday afternoon, during the monitoring of the derailed cars, it was found that the pressure relief devices on some of the cars had stopped working. If not addressed, it could result in a catastrophic failure of the cars.

In coordination among all agencies and stakeholders, we have put together a plan to manually vent the cars. The contents will be drained in a controlled fashion. To protect the environment, we have prepared pits and embankments to drain the material into which will then be remediated.

When it is safe to do so, the manual release of the pressure will be via a controlled breach of several rail cars, and under the supervision of experts and first responders. This will be loud and visible. Some of the material will burn off as it drains for a short number of hours. We have been and will continue monitoring air quality with Ohio EPA. Afterward, cleanup work on the site can safely continue. 

Latest News Updates


We’re Here to Help

All Latest News Updates

See below for recent updates from East Palestine.

  • Norfolk Southern announces next phase of East Palestine assistance program

    Last Updated on December 5, 2023 at 4:24pm With the most intensive remediation work complete, focus turns to long-term initiatives. ATLANTA, December 5, 2023 – Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) announced Tuesday the next phase of community assistance in East Palestine and the surrounding areas in Ohio and Pennsylvania. In October, the company completed the…

    Read More »

  • East Palestine Economic Roundtable Looks to Spark Economic Recovery in Village

    Last Updated on December 2, 2023 at 1:14pm Norfolk Southern helped to convene an economic development roundtable at the American Legion Hall in East Palestine on Thursday, bringing together village leaders and local and state officials, as well as Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Recovery Coordinator Jim McPherson and Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw for…

    Read More »

  • A Norfolk Southern employee’s commitment to home

    Last Updated on December 2, 2023 at 11:19am Jeremy Vranesevich, a Norfolk Southern craft employee who lives in East Palestine, took on a special role as a community liaison in February 2023. Over the following months, Jeremy found ways both small and big to help support his community. Now, he’s transitioning to a new role…

    Read More »