President Joe Biden visits East Palestine, Darlington Township to mark train derailment anniversary

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — President Joe Biden visited East Palestine and Darlington Township on Friday, just over one year after the toxic train derailment, where vinyl chloride was released into the air.

>> White House confirms President Biden’s visit to East Palestine on Friday

East Palestine’s mayor extended the invitation to Biden, saying the visit would be good for the town.

On Thursday, community activists sent Biden a letter that asked him to issue a major disaster declaration for the community, as well as provide long-term health care for residents, increased environmental testing and relocation funding for those who wish to leave.

President Biden talked about how the administration is working to hold Norfolk Southern accountable and support the community as it moves forward.

Norfolk Southern said it has spent roughly $1.1 billion in its response to the derailment. Since the fire began on Feb. 3, 2023, and caused hazardous chemicals to mix, the company says it has invested $103.2 million in the community, including $21 million distributed to residents.

>> East Palestine Train Derailment: Exclusive sit down with Norfolk Southern CEO nearly 1 year later

“We appreciated the President stopping and acknowledging there was an effect on Western Pennsylvania,” said Mike Carreon who’s a Darlington Twp Supervisor.

That is the sentiment in the area, forgotten in the wake of the toxic train derailment.  This is the first time the President has visited over a year after the toxic train derailment.

“It’s important for the President to say to folks my administration, I see you, you are part of the folks impacted, we are in this fight as long as it takes to hold the railroad accountable and work with Congress to pass the Railway Safety Act,” said Congressman Chris Deluzio.

President Joe Biden visits East Palestine, Darlington Township to mark train derailment anniversary

But down the street in East Palestine at the epicenter, residents feel businesses are struggling and people are moving. So not everyone is greeting the President with open arms.

“We are trying to build back, trying to do better, it’s what we all want that live in this town. We love this town, I’ve been here my whole life, I want nothing but good for it and we just keep hoping and praying that it will work out,” said Kathleen Unkefer who lives in East Palestine.

While Unkefer isn’t sure what the President can do at this point, in his speech he vowed to do what he can to fight for these communities to recover.

“We’re going to continue to hold Norfolk Southern accountable and make sure that make our community whole now and in the future and what they do not make whole what they cannot make whole we will make whole the government will make whole, we have an obligation,” President Joe Biden said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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