The White House said President Joe Biden will visit East Palestine, Ohio, sometime in February, about a year since a Norfolk Southern Corp. train derailed in the village, spilling hazardous chemicals that contaminated surrounding air, soil and water.
In conjunction with the debut visit, for which officials have not set a date, the administration is urging Congress to pass rail safety legislation, which officials said Wednesday on a call with reporters is key to preventing a similar accident.
“We’ve done our part at the DOT, we are pressing industry to do their part, Congress needs to act as well,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigeg said on a call with reporters. “Any congressional leader of any party who is serious about railroad safety should support funding for railroad safety inspections … and should support the Railway Safety Act.”
