New: Norfolk Southern Settles East Palestine Derailment in $310 Million Consent Decree

Norfolk Southern (NSC.N), opens new tab agreed to pay a $15 million civil penalty and $57.1 million in past government cleanup costs on Thursday, as well as millions in future costs to resolve a U.S. government lawsuit over a February 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

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Under a proposed consent decree estimated to be worth more than $310 million, the railroad also agreed to significant safety improvements and training, which includes installing additional safety equipment after the derailment of the train that caught fire and released over a million gallons of hazardous materials and pollutants.

The Atlanta-based railroad will also pay for medical monitoring for health impacts tied to the derailment and release of hazardous chemicals. The settlement will pay for treatment for individual medical needs stemming from the disaster, the Environmental Protection Agency said.

Ed Morrissey

The deal will end any potential criminal prosecutions under way, although none have been reported thus far. This is separate from a class-action lawsuit from residents that Norfolk Southern settled for $600 million. 

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