Norfolk Southern to end relocation aid in February
with lingering health wor“Most were financially ries about potential long- devastated by the derailterm effects. ment. It’s already a finanNorfolk Southern railroad With the completion of soil cially stressful time of year plans to stop paying reloca- removal from the derailment and now to worry about tion aid to those displaced by site in October, the Atlan- where you are going to live.” last February’s fiery derail- ta-based railroad decided The railroad is offering to ment in eastern Ohio right it was time to stop paying pay to clean the homes of after the one-year anniver- the expenses of people who anyone who hasn’t returned sary of the crash. still haven’t returned to their home yet as long as they
Railroad officials homes. didn’t already take advanannounced the change this A Norfolk Southern tage of a similar program week as they reiterated their spokesman said fewer than earlier. And for residents long-term commitment to 100 households are still who decided to move, Norhelping the town of East Pal- receiving that aid because folk Southern has offered to estine and the surrounding most residents have already compensate them for any area near the Pennsylvania returned to East Palestine. lost value in their homes as border recover. “This program was always long as they agree to give up
Norfolk Southern has com- a temporary one for those any other property damage mitted more than $103 mil- residents who chose to relo- claims against the railroad. lion in aid to the area, includ- cate during the site remediNorfolk Southern has estiing nearly $21 million paid ation process,” spokesman mated that its response to out directly to residents Tom Crosson said. the derailment has already whose lives were upended The move to end relo- cost nearly $1 billion and by the derailment. cation aid, which will take that total will only grow as
When the train careened effect Feb. 9, had been the cleanup continues, three off the tracks on the night rumored for months. But the funds it has committed to of Feb. 3, several tank cars decision still angered some create are finalized and varfilled with hazardous chemi- residents like Jami Wallace, ious lawsuits are addressed. cals ruptured, and their con- who posted online “Thank But the railroad will get comtents caught fire. A few days you NS for flipping another pensation from its insurers later, officials blew open bird at residents.” and likely other companies five more tank cars to keep “It’s truly bad timing,” involved in the derailment them from exploding. The Wallace said in a message to to offset some of that cost. chemical spill left residents The Associated Press.