MONACA, February 23, 2023 – The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee will hold a public hearing today to discuss the toxic derailment of a Norfolk Southern train in Ohio last week.

The hearing will be held today, Thursday, February 23 at 10 a.m. in the Dome Athletics and Events Center at the Community College of Beaver County located at 1 Campus Drive, Monaca, PA.

“There are so many questions that remain unanswered regarding the Norfolk Southern train derailment, the immediate response, and the toxic substances that have endangered the health of local residents, our water and our air in Western Pennsylvania,” Senator Katie Muth, Minority Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, said. “This hearing will be an important discussion with a number of state agencies and impacted residents – but it is disturbing that Norfolk Southern has declined the invitation to participate. They must be held accountable and they must answer the questions of impacted residents and our elected officials.”

Scheduled participants in the hearing include PEMA Director Randy Padfield; Acting Secretary Russell Redding, PA Department of Agriculture; Acting Secretary Mike Carroll, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation; Acting Secretary Rich Negrin. PA Department of Environmental Protection; Beaver County officials; representatives from the American Lung Association; and several impacted residents.

Norfolk Southern officials were invited but declined to participate in the public hearing.

The public hearing will also be livestreamed at www.SenatorMuth.com/live and Facebook.com/SenatorMuth 

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