First fox: Ann ohio republican member of parliament FOX News Digital residents are ‘horrified’ and ‘frustrated’ after giving an ‘F’ to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s response to a train derailment and toxic chemical spill in East Palestine.
Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) spoke on the phone with FOX News Digital about a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The accident contaminated the town and surrounding areas with toxic chemicals.
Mr Johnson said many voters in East Palestine were “concerned”, “feared” and “frustrated” about the crisis. I pointed out that I was absent from the city hall meeting.
Ohio mom warns of air quality in Eastern Palestine: ‘We’re still poisoned’
Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) spoke to FOX News Digital by phone on Thursday about a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio that contaminated the town and surrounding areas with a toxic chemical. (CQ roll call)
“They’re not getting the answers they need and want,” Johnson said in an exclusive interview with FOX News Digital. I couldn’t ask any questions.”
“And rightly they’re concerned. They’re concerned about how this happened in the first place,” the Ohio Republican continued. “The response of the railway company to take care of families who had to evacuate. I have many questions.”
“The bright side is that the Federal and State EPAs are working hand in hand and working well together, and we’re starting to make good progress in answering questions related to air and water quality in people’s homes,” Johnson said. It’s about being there.”
“While we’re seeing progress like this, we still have a long way to go to make sure people here have their questions answered,” Johnson said.
Ohio Republicans also gave Buttigieg an “F” for his response to the crisis and contacted by his secretary for not attending a town hall meeting in a city affected by a toxic chemical spill following a train derailment. pointed out that there is no
“I give Secretary Buttigieg an F,” Johnson said. “I mean, he didn’t show up.”
Ohio Republicans also said City Hall Wednesday “could have been better” if Norfolk Southern had attended the meeting, adding that “they weren’t there, so room anxiety “And the level of tension has increased,” he said. (CQ roll call)
“How are you going to be rated if you didn’t show up? So you get an F,” Johnson continued. “President? We don’t know yet.”
Mr Johnson said President Biden “activated resources” and mobilized the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide medical services at the request of Republican Gov. Mike DeWine.
Republican lawmakers also said anyone experiencing symptoms should seek out a doctor for treatment and report results to public health officials and the EPA.
“We are in the first emergency phase of this disaster,” Johnson said. “This is going to be an ongoing one. There will be a lot of testing in the future. It’s not just a one-off deal.”
Johnson said “Norfolk Southern didn’t show up last night to answer their questions” so he can “relate” to his voters who feel they’ve been lied to about the crisis.
“They feel there was a delay. [revealing] What chemicals were actually used in those cars. So they have good reason to be skeptical. My advice to them is to call the EPA if they have any doubts about the answers they are getting and if it concerns air quality. They test your air and your home. For water quality, call your state’s EPA. They will confirm that you have been tested. If you have any other questions for which you do not trust the answers you get, please call my office.
Buttigieg points out that Ohio “has received particular attention” while trains derail “1,000” times a year.
Ohio Republicans also said City Hall Wednesday “could have been better” if Norfolk Southern had attended the meeting, adding that “they weren’t there, so room anxiety “And the level of tension has increased,” he said.
Mr Johnson said City Hall was “a little unwieldy at times” because of the tension, and Norfolk Southern “has spearheaded the kiosk model” of the conference.
“The problem is people don’t know which agency is responsible for which issue. They don’t know that. So I had nothing to do with setting up City Hall. I I wasn’t in charge of that, and if I were, I wouldn’t have done such a thing. There would have been a platform for the spokespersons and experts of the I wish I could have offered that advice to someone.”
Johnson rated Buttigieg’s response to the East Palestinian crisis an “F”. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Johnson said there was “positive news” that the railroad company had “agreed to expand its service area beyond the one-mile evacuation zone.”
“They now plan to cover costs such as relocation, inspections, or the entire Palestinian postal code,” Johnson said. I am happy with it.”
MPs said it was “too early to judge” the environmental impact of the vinyl chloride released from the derailment, which is “currently contained”.
“We haven’t heard of a single air quality test that has shown the presence of vinyl chloride,” Johnson said.
The Ohio Republican also told Fox News Digital that East Palestinian voters “what they need right now is information.”
“They need experts who can answer their questions. So they need representatives from … Norfolk Southern,” Johnson said. The EPA needs experts from the Department of Health, and they need experts on the ground to answer their questions.”
Masses of smoke rise in East Palestine, Ohio after part of the derailed Norfolk Southern railroad exploded under control Monday, February 6, 2023. About 50 vehicles, including 10 of his carrying dangerous goods, were derailed in violent collisions. Federal investigators say a mechanical problem with the rail car’s axle was responsible for the derailment. Mr Johnson told Fox News Digital this week that East Palestinian voters “what they need right now is information”. ((AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar))
A spokesperson for the Department of Transportation (DOT) told FOX News Digital: “Within hours of the derailment, US DOT investigators were on board to assist an independent agency-led investigation into the cause of the derailment in East Palestine. I’m on the ground,” he said. NTSB. ”
“The investigation is ongoing and involves multiple local, state and federal agencies,” the spokesperson said. “While the NTSB investigates the findings of the crash, Secretary Buttigieg welcomes the renewed interest in railroad and worker safety from many members of Congress.”
“Based on the NTSB’s findings, the DOT will do everything in its power to hold Norfolk Southern accountable,” the spokesperson added.
Johnson’s comments came as the crisis in East Palestine took center stage two weeks after a train derailed that released toxic chemicals into the town and surrounding environment.
An Ohio mother expressed concern about returning to her hometown in Eastern Palestine after a train derailment that discharged toxic chemicals, as authorities claim the air is safe.
“It’s not good that people are here right now,” Jessica Helpy said in “Stories.”
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EPA Administrator Michael Regan said at a press conference Thursday that his agency is helping screen about 500 homes in the area and will continue to provide 24/7 air monitoring to ensure residents’ water health. said there is.
Regan and other officials say tests have shown the air is safe to breathe, and if the home is inspected by the state and certified to be “in good health,” his It claims that children will be able to drink and bathe in the water.
The mother of two told host Martha McCallum that although evacuation orders have been lifted, the air quality is still poor.
Ashley Carnahan of FOX News Digital contributed to the report.
